Does this chick have an injury or defect?

[ThreeH]

Does anyone know what is going on with this chick? It struggles to walk and falls down. When it falls down, it struggles to get back up. Hatched by this hen yesterday. Is there anything I can do for it? Or should I let Mama Hen continue to care for it? She is doing pretty good so far.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Have you picked up the chick to looks for any swelling of the joints?

 

[ThreeH]

Have you picked up the chick to looks for any swelling of the joints?

No swelling. It's legs actually look smaller, almost like atrophy. But, otherwise, nothing obvious.

 

[coach723]

Close up pictures of the legs might be helpful.

 

[ThreeH]

Close up pictures of the legs might be helpful.

Thank you for being willing to help, but the chick has taken a turn this morning. We have been hand feeding the chick, but this morning, it will not eat, even with a dropper, and not moving much. We suspect the walking problem is a symptom of a much larger problem. The legs and body seem very small compared to its head and the other chicks. So maybe a deformity while developing? We don't think it is going to make it. We are keeping it warm and trying to hydrate and feed, but no luck yet.

 

[NanaK]

Have you tried giving it a bit of nutridrench or a bit of sugar water?
Sometimes it helps.

 

[ThreeH]

Close up pictures of the legs might be helpful.

Just wanted to add another picture. It is very tiny.

 

[ThreeH]

Another picture.

 

[coach723]

I don't see anything obvious with the legs or feet. It may just be a failure to thrive chick. Is it pooping? When hydrating a tiny chick I hold them in my hand so that the beak rests in a crease of my finger, drip the fluid down the crease, when it hits the beak they will usually swallow it. It's a slow process, but gets some in them. Concentrate on fluids and a drop of nutridrench if it will take it. Sugar water or some raw yolk mixed in water can provide a boost. Good luck.

 

[ThreeH]

It was failure to thrive. It passed about 2 days later. Even with electrolytes, egg yolk, and water, it stopped eating and drinking.

I don't see anything obvious with the legs or feet. It may just be a failure to thrive chick. Is it pooping? When hydrating a tiny chick I hold them in my hand so that the beak rests in a crease of my finger, drip the fluid down the crease, when it hits the beak they will usually swallow it. It's a slow process, but gets some in them. Concentrate on fluids and a drop of nutridrench if it will take it. Sugar water or some raw yolk mixed in water can provide a boost. Good luck.