How can I tell if a baby chick is dead or not?

[metalman488]

Guys I know this sounds like a stupid question, but here are my reasons for asking it: I had a chick that looked dead and then I found out that it was just laying down (it was dying though, and it didnt do anything when I poked it) and also I usually check if an animal is dead by seeing how stiff the body is, but I checked one of my chicks that had been dead for a day or two and it still wasnt stiff. So how do I tell?

 

[Sarevan]

No pain response when pinching a toe. No breathing sounds may have to hold to ear. Chicks also cool off very fast losing body heat.

 

[metalman488]

Okay, Thank you.

 

[cbascom]

Gently palpate chest wall for heart beat. Although, if the chick is so sick that he doesn't react when you touch him, then death is probably imminent.

 

[kenzie223]

I don't understand my chick isn't responsive but It isn't stiff? what is going on

 

[Chicalina]

It will be cold and not breathing.

I'm not sure on the timeline for rigor mortis (stiffness) but it passes. So maybe you missed seeing that stage.

It will also start to smell bad, the eyes will look sunken, the mouth slack, sometimes it poops as it dies.

 

[kenzie223]

I just don't get it I want this to survive so bad. is there anything I can do like to keep it alive if it is. it is in my incubator right now.

 

[Chicalina]

How old is the chick?
Has it been eating and drinking?
What do you feed it?
Does it have pasty butt?
Has it had any injuries or accidents or any pecking wounds?
Did it hatch well or were there any issues?
What setup do you have in the brooder?
Can you see any rise and fall of its body (breathing)?

Can you post some pics. And close up of the face.

If it is alive you can try giving it liquid electrolytes and vitamins by oral syringe, and keeping it warm. If it is dead then there is nothing further you can do, except check your setup and feed to make sure you don't lose any more.

 

[kenzie223]

It will be cold and not breathing.

I'm not sure on the timeline for rigor mortis (stiffness) but it passes. So maybe you missed seeing that stage.

It will also start to smell bad, the eyes will look sunken, the mouth slack, sometimes it poops as it dies.

I want to save this it is in my incubator is there anything I can do
it was hatched yesterday and now it was just laying there in the incubator still not stiff

 

[kenzie223]

How old is the chick?
Has it been eating and drinking?
What do you feed it?
Does it have pasty butt?
Has it had any injuries or accidents or any pecking wounds?
Did it hatch well or were there any issues?
What setup do you have in the brooder?
Can you see any rise and fall of its body (breathing)?

Can you post some pics. And close up of the face.

If it is alive you can try giving it liquid electrolytes and vitamins by oral syringe, and keeping it warm. If it is dead then there is nothing further you can do, except check your setup and feed to make sure you don't lose any more.

the ckick hatched yesterday and didn't even make it out of the incubator as I thought it was dead