We've been brooding this one inside for 3 weeks now with it's hatch mates. We just noticed this problem as we were moving it to the outside brooder. We MAY have missed it, considering there were 20 other chicks. This is also the chick we had to nurse for it's first week. It's almost as if it has scoliosis of the neck. I'm ready to cull it, but wanted opinions....
If it gets around ok, and the neck just looks a bit crooked, why not let it grow with the others. I wouldn't use it for breeding, but I'd give it a chance. Now, if it looks to be hurting, then I would cull. Just my humble opinion. Take care, Sharon
Well, I didn't cull it. It doesn't appear to be in any pain, and seems to have full range of motion. It's really a mess though. I'll give it some time.
If it's not in pain, I would encourage you to raise it o offer it to someone willing to raise a chick who is just a bit different. Feel free to ship it to me
I had a chick out of 18 last year that I think was incubated upside down. He has a crooked neck and can just about see behind himself it is so twisted. It leaves him at a disadvantage on the other side. Out of that hatch we got 8 roosters, we gave away 7 and kept him (he's a rooster). He is a runt, not growing as big as the hens and is a year old now, very friendly. In fact in the evening when I walk to the coop to close the doors, he comes running to meet me. So I pick him up and carry him in with me. Keep your little chick.
