Help - Injury? Matting? - Brand new chick

[hkeibard]

Hi,
Absolute newbie here. This morning I picked up chicks from Meyer Hatchery from the post office. One died in transit (got squished by the cardboard) and I suspect there was some pecking amongst the others (8 still alive). However, one of the chicks has one whole side matted down. Being so new I can't tell if this is from hatching, matting or injury from pecking. The wing on the other side of her body is moving but this side it is not. Interestingly enough, she is the most active one in the batch. She's eating and drinking and seems to act fine otherwise. She actually seems rather perky.
Any suggestions on what might be the issue and what I should do about it.
Thanks for your help.

 

[benjaminzygs]

It currently normal for the baby chicks

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi,
Absolute newbie here. This morning I picked up chicks from Meyer Hatchery from the post office. One died in transit (got squished by the cardboard) and I suspect there was some pecking amongst the others (8 still alive). However, one of the chicks has one whole side matted down. Being so new I can't tell if this is from hatching, matting or injury from pecking. The wing on the other side of her body is moving but this side it is not. Interestingly enough, she is the most active one in the batch. She's eating and drinking and seems to act fine otherwise. She actually seems rather perky.
Any suggestions on what might be the issue and what I should do about it.
Thanks for your help.

Did you have GroGel shipped with the chicks?

I think I would try washing her wing with a little warm soapy water, work through the fluff and see if that comes off. Rinse. You should be able to see the skin better when the fluff is wet - look for injury or anything oozing.
Dry her very well! Use a hair dryer on low and make sure she's dry before she goes back into the brooder, you can use a toothbrush to help fluff up the feather.

If you notice anything off - get some photos.

 

[hkeibard]

Thanks Wyorp Rock. Yes, I have GroGel. Two packets in fact because I added one to the order before I realized Meyers adds one to every order. All have been gobbling up the one packet I gave them. And they are eating, drinking, pooping machines! I did try to wash the wing a bit (and dry of course) but I didn't have much success. It still seems just kinda stuck. No oozing I can discern. I'm likely being overly gentle though. They are such tiny little things. She's still the perkiest of the bunch. If the wing doesn't get unstuck in the first few days might there be serious long term damage/issues?

They all did seem a little rough looking right out of the box, looks wise. I think their ride was probably pretty hard on them (bless the little lost one's soul). Being new at this I didn't know what to expect straight out of shipping box though.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks Wyorp Rock. Yes, I have GroGel. Two packets in fact because I added one to the order before I realized Meyers adds one to every order. All have been gobbling up the one packet I gave them. And they are eating, drinking, pooping machines! I did try to wash the wing a bit (and dry of course) but I didn't have much success. It still seems just kinda stuck. No oozing I can discern. I'm likely being overly gentle though. They are such tiny little things. She's still the perkiest of the bunch. If the wing doesn't get unstuck in the first few days might there be serious long term damage/issues?

They all did seem a little rough looking right out of the box, looks wise. I think their ride was probably pretty hard on them (bless the little lost one's soul). Being new at this I didn't know what to expect straight out of shipping box though.

Well, I was asking about the GroGel wondering if that's what is dried on her wing.

I would not give them any more of the GroGel since they are no in the brooder. Give them fresh cool water to drink.

Nothing washed off at all? It's very odd. I think I would work on it again in a day or so if it's still like that.

 

[Shezadandy]

See if oil will help break whatever that is up. Coconut oil (people use it for frying and chicks/chickens can eat it) to soften it up, let it sit- then go about warm soap and water to the area. Kind of like when you go to get tree sap off your hand - rub the hand in oil, then wash the hand with soap and water. Same concept.

Having a small curved pair of scissors (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fiskars-4-Orange-Curved-Scissors-1-Each/34932916) might com in handy if there's one or two spots you can just cut through the fluff to free up the wing. Is it possible the siblings pooped on her?

 

[ladybrasa]

If one somehow got squished by cardboard - was the box damaged or something upon arrival? Could it potentially have injured her as well? Or smoosh the grow gel provided for the transit on her.