Help with my chicks! They can't walk!

[California Ducken]

Please help. I helped hatch a few chicks.(Peel them out) They were almost out and the mom was ripping their shell off very roughly and throwing it around so she could eat it. Now one chick can't stand up but can sit up. And it is very shaky and I have not seen it eat or drink so I gave it a few drops of water.
After reading several posts I found that I did a bad thing!!! I should have never peeled them out. (3 of them)
I feel terrible, but their mom was making them bleed and ripping at their wings and flinging them around as they were screaming. I had to do something. I know now I should have taken them away and tried to hatch them out myself.
What do I do?! PLEASE HELP MY BABIES.
Oh another note...I saved one chick this morning it was cold and stiff.(That's the one that can only sit up)
Thank You to anyone that responds!!!!

 

[MoodyChicken]

My chicks don't walk until day 2 or 3. The first day is a bunch of clumsy flailing and rolling around. Don't worry, you did the right thing and they should be ok.

 

[California Ducken]

All the other 6 chicks under this hen are bouncing running and crazy little things.
The same with my other hen, all 9 are crazy little balls of fluff.
Should I feed and water them by hand? I don't want them to dehydrate or starve.
I am sooo bad with guilt. I can't let bad things happen on my watch. And my watch is always......

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!! You made me feel so much better. I love this place BYC rules!!!

Smiles, Keccia

 

[shay20]

just place some chick starter med in a cover, like a coffee cover or something like that next to where they are. and is the water in reach for them to get to? and make the water dish is not deep.

 

[California Ducken]

Yes, the water is about 2 inches away from the medicated chick starter. Food and water are both in the poultry feeder and waterer and 9 inches away from the mom who sits on them. Should I pull these chicks until they get stronger ?

 

[MoodyChicken]

I don't feed or water my chicks for the first 24 hours. Instead, I wrap them in a towel and let them sleep all day. It gets their strength up. Day two I offer feed and water but they usually don't do much with it. Chicks can go 48 without food or water and that's usually what happens. They use the nutrients and moisture from their newly absorbed yolk for the first 2 days.

 

[shay20]

Quote:
no when they get stronger they will go to the food and water, they will see the mom eating and drinking. change the food, its true it take at least 24 to 48 hours for them to start being thirsty and hungry. just keep an eye on them to make sure they start drinking on there own.

 

[California Ducken]

Oops I kept them in last night and they made tiny peeps, but have been sleeping and in a calm warm area. Because the hen flicks them around very hard when she scratches the ground. She flung two and buried them in the hay and pine shavings. Since they don't get around well they were stuck. So I kept my 3 little weak guys in. Should I put them with her during the day? And keep them in and warm at night?

Sorry I also posted in Raising chicks. I was in a panic.

Thank you!!!!

 

[California Ducken]

As I was taking a photo I noticed an "outie belly button very small about the size of a small bird poo. And it is lite pink. But underneath the vent. I dont know if the mom picked the heck out of it and pulled it out when it was closing/healing. And the two black ones eyes are always 1/2 closed. I havent set up a brooder because I was planning on letting the hens raise the chicks. She has others that are strong little firecrackers but these 3 that are weak and need nursing.

Hey is it normal for a hen not to get the broody attitude? The hen of these chicks lets me do whatever and my kids too. But my other hen will take your arm off and goes for your face when you lean in.

 

[Judy]

Since chickens have been bred for a long time not to be broody so they will lay more eggs, what we see now are hens that never go broody, hens that set but are not good mothers, and hens that make great mothers -- even within the same breed. Sounds like you have one good mother and one not so good mother. You will just have to use judgment and intervene when you need to.

And I agree, they really don't need much for 48 hours but a warm quiet place to rest and recuperate.