Help! My New Chick is Still Sticky!?

[ChickenKatie]

I have a chick that just hatched about 16 hours ago, she was stuck in her shell, I had to help her out, I should have got to her sooner as she is completely coated in sticky hard yuck. I used a warm wet cloth to loosen her wings, as they were completely stuck to her body. But all her feathers are slicked down and no cloth will soften them. Should I bathe her, or just leave her alone. She's having trouble walking and I'm worried it's because she needs to be washed off. What should I do?? Help!

 

[debilorrah]

She is too small to get throughly wet. Keep cleaning her with a warm damp towel til she is clean. Slow and steady wins the race.

 

[denasfarm]

I had one like that a couple of days ago. It was so bad its eyes were sealed shut and it was slicked down like it had elmers glue all over it. I bathed it in warm water with a tad of mild dish deterg, used a soft toothbrush to help get the dried goo off. I rinsed it well and towel dried it as best I could, then I put it back under the brooder light. It fluffed out shortly and is doing fine and is already in a new home. Just dont get it chilled, Dont get soap in its eyes and dont drown it by spraying its head with water.
Take your time and be careful.

 

[NurseNettie]

I had 2 hatch out very sticky and got very stiff feathered yesterday. I did bathe them in a bowl of warm water-- and used a warm wet cloth to wipe down their faces, etc. Towel dried (well, wash cloth dried) them and held them at a distance while DD ran the blow drier on low ( and I rubbed and fluffed and turned the chick). It took less than 2 minutes to get them completely fluffed under the dryer and they kept very warm. Back in the brooder they went and they were much happier.
I wasn't sure I should do it, but I had one that was really squawking and scratching at it's head-- I figured it was very uncomfortable and decided to go for it-- and it worked well.

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[ChickenKatie]

thank you guys for the advise. I actually did end up bathing her with a tiny bit of baby soap. Worked like a charm! She's doing great!

 

[debilorrah]