HELP! New Chick questions

[Chickmom31]

I am new to chickens. We just had our first hatch. Had 11 set, 8 of those hatched. 1 hatched foot first and I knew I needed to help but didn’t open the bator because others were pipped. As soon as I could, I opened it and helped it hatch but it was about 24 hours after it started. I didn’t think she was going to make it at first but within a couple of hours, she was starting to stand upright and trying to walk. We left her in the bator overnight and she has not fluffed up and has sores where she was scratching her neck trying to learn to stand. I transferred her to the brooder with the others this morning but she still isn’t doing great. I’m not sure what to do with her. Her neck is crooked and she has lots of sores and I think the leg that was stuck out of the egg is messed up a little. What would you do?

 

[Lauren Kim]

Chicks can be quite unpredictable.

 

[Grub Digger]

First, welcome to BYC! Isolate your weak chick so the others don't trample it. Keep the sores clean, you can use neosporin so long as it doesn't have the pain killer additive. You can try to give it vitamins like provisol without the iron, or Nutridrench if you have it. Give it time and room to heal and it may just perk up. Sounds like it had a rough start.

 

[lazy gardener]

She doesn't look too bad, given her rough start. Are her toes straight? The absolute best thing you can do for any chick, whether she's struggling or not, is to get some Poultry Nutri-Drench into them. I think the correct rate is 1 Tsp/qt. Or mix it to the color of weak tea. I use it for the first 2 weeks, first daily, then every 2 - 3 days, then 1- 2 x a week for a few more weeks. Be sure you change the water out every 24 hours so it doesn't grow bacteria.

 

[JudysMuscovy]

I am new to chickens. We just had our first hatch. Had 11 set, 8 of those hatched. 1 hatched foot first and I knew I needed to help but didn’t open the bator because others were pipped. As soon as I could, I opened it and helped it hatch but it was about 24 hours after it started. I didn’t think she was going to make it at first but within a couple of hours, she was starting to stand upright and trying to walk. We left her in the bator overnight and she has not fluffed up and has sores where she was scratching her neck trying to learn to stand. I transferred her to the brooder with the others this morning but she still isn’t doing great. I’m not sure what to do with her. Her neck is crooked and she has lots of sores and I think the leg that was stuck out of the egg is messed up a little. What would you do?

I would definitely give it a little time.

 

[lazy gardener]

I don't see any sores. are you sure it's just not where the down is separated, and you are seeing bony prominences?

 

[Chickmom31]

Thank you all for your reply! I’m really pulling for her, I just wasn’t sure I was doing the right thing. Toes are straight and here is a better picture of the sore. Maybe the others are just separated down

 

[lazy gardener]

I think she'll be fine.