Help!

[Lady EE]

Hi,

I have a less-than-day-old chick, whom I helped out of the shell. The problem is that when I helped it, I tore the membrane a lot and as a result, it is VERY weak from bleeding so much. It is currently wrapped up in a towel, and the bleeding appears to have stopped, but it chirps weakly only occasionally and wiggles every few minutes. This happened several hours ago. What should I do?

 

[peepmommy]

The only thing you can do is put it under a heat lamp, try to give it a little sugar water, and hope for the best... Has it fluffed up yet? It needs to be dry and warm! Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[angel8035]

I don't know from experience but from what I have read, it seems there is not a lot you can do besides keep it warm and maybe offer some vitamin drops. I believe the recommendation is Poly-vi-sol (without iron). When I tried to nurse my weak chick I would put a drop at the side of his beak with a dropper and he would drink it. Unfortunately weak chicks don't often make it.

Best of luck...I hope he perks up.

 

[Lady EE]

He survived the night! He is now fluffy and dry, and moves around. He hasn't really gotten the hang of standing upright, from the looks of it, so he just shuffles around, which it appears to exhaust him.angel8035, how much, and how often do I give the Poly-vi-sol?

 

[Red Barn Farms]

Do you have save-a-chick? That might help too along with vit. E in the water. Personally I'd think 6-7 times a day. Have you tried making a mash from the food to try giving it?

 

[angel8035]

I would give him just a few drops at a time, a few times a day, and put a little sugar in the water so he can get some energy. I think if he makes it through the first couple of days there is a good chance he will be okay and you can probably back off the treatments. Or, as someone else suggested, you can just use the save-a-chick packets in the water and follow the mixing instructions. That is a vitamin mix designed specifically for chicks.

 

[RonC]

The water with sav-a-chick I would put in a waterer or dish and offer free choice. If you use a dish make sure it's very shallow or put marbles or something to prevent drowning.. The vitamins I wouldn't think more than once a day, don't want to over do it. Make sure it's drinking, it won't need food till about 2 days old but I would offer it. Redbarnfarms's idea with the starter and water is a good idea also.They seem to love it and would provide food and water. It's probably weak from hatching and the blood loss.