Deformed chick

[UThobbyfarmer]

This is a spin off from my lockdown thread.

"Eek. What did I do? The egg that zipped hadn't made progress in 2 hours. It was drying out and I made the decision to help it out. It came out ok. Just need a bath to remove the dried off egg residue. The problem is the chick is deformed. It has a very odd shaped lumpy head (see pics). Reminds me of a pigeon. It also has a large bubble of air under it's skin. It back in the incubator to dry off. I don't think I did the right thing. Mother Nature would have had it die in the shell. Now I've interfered and made myself responsible for it. I'm going to give him a few days before making any decisions. Any ideas on care or what went wrong? I'll probably start a new thread on just him."

Anyone seen anything like this? If so what happened to the chick? Genetic? Issue with incubation?

1. 
   
   
   

• • 
    

 

[Pyxis]

The bubble on the back may just be fluid that will go down, hopefully. What breed is this chick? I see five toes, could there be some silkie in there? I ask because the head 'lump' may actually be a vaulted skull.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

Thank you for the reply. Someone mentioned vaulted skull in the other thread. I've never heard of it.

Possible lineage include Polish, Easter egger, or Silkie. There were not any Silkies in the pen when the eggs were collected. But the seller probably had 20+ of them in the pens next door. It's very possible some crossing happened.

 

[junebuggena]

Five toes means that chick has Silkie ancestry, and the skull is definitely vaulted. Otherwise, looks like a very normal, newly hatched chick.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

Thank you I'm inclined to agree. I've definitely calmed down after reading these replies. He's bobbling around the incubator like a normal chick. I'll make sure to update when he's dried out.

 

[ronott1]

Five toes means that chick has Silkie ancestry, and the skull is definitely vaulted. Otherwise, looks like a very normal, newly hatched chick.

Dorkings have 5 toes and are not slikie related(as far as I know)

 

[tjb]

Thank you I'm inclined to agree. I've definitely calmed down after reading these replies. He's bobbling around the incubator like a normal chick. I'll make sure to update when he's dried out.

would love to see a picture when it is all fluffed out

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

Here he is about 24 hours later. Super sweet chick with very interesting coloration. He's completely absorbed the lump of fluid and the head looks much better fluffed out. I had 2 more chicks hatch with vaulted skull (Polish, I believe). I was already wiser and didn't panic at all. Thank again everyone.
.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

The little guy is 1 1/2 weeks old. Definitely much cuter now. I'm planning a small mixed flock of bantams for the spring. He'll fit right in.

 

[ronott1]

The little guy is 1 1/2 weeks old. Definitely much cuter now. I'm planning a small mixed flock of bantams for the spring. He'll fit right in.

View attachment 1150017 View attachment 1150018 View attachment 1150019 View attachment 1150020

Very cute!