HELP!! STICKY CHICK

[chantelhatt]

Help, my chick is half stick y half not, I have been moistening the sticky area with warm water...what else can I do?

 

[chantelhatt]

when I mean sticky, he is out of his shell but parts of him is old membrane glued on and hard, and the rest of him is fluffing out

 

[happyhens1972]

He needs a bath. Chicks cannot thermo-regulate when young as it is and his 'fluff' is what helps to keep him warm. If it's stuck down, he will chill. You need some warm water with a drop of antiseptic if you have it (just in case there is any navel or vent issues), give him a quick bath, immersing him to his neck, maybe using a soft brush to 'scrub' him (I used an old blusher/rouge brush - very soft!) then pat/gently rub excess water off with a towel and blow-dry with a hair dryer, ensuring he doesn't overheat. Then pop him under the heat lamp until properly fluffed!

 

[chantelhatt]

Thank you so much happyhens1972, your were a great help, he might need no more but i got about 95% and he can now open his eyes, he couldn't before. Here's to hoping it works out.

 

[happyhens1972]

You are welcome! You may possibly find he has weak or splayed legs....often the case with a sticky chick....how is he standing? Is he able to walk ok?

 

[chantelhatt]

he is a bit wobbly

 

[chantelhatt]

and it looks like one is pointed inward

 

[happyhens1972]

When did he hatch exactly? Wobbly is normal for a newly hatched chick. By 24 hours they are usually pretty sorted on their legs....unless they have issues, then they may need a manacle.

 

[chantelhatt]

He was only out of his shell around 1:00, when should he start eating and drinking?

 

[chantelhatt]

he tumbles over on his back too, will it hurt him to stay like that if I wasn't home to flip him over?