I accidentally stepped on my chick I don’t know what to do

[Backyard-chicken-owner]

I accidentally stepped on my chick and idk what to do

I have a little pen set up for my 4 chicks and I’m always EXTREMELY careful but when I took a step today to get out of the pen, a chick hurriedly went under my foot and I stepped on it, I quickly picked up my foot and I didn’t put all my pressure on him. He quickly scurried away scared and making crying noises I picked him up and took him to his heat lamp. He calmed down a bit but he is extremely scared of me every time I even get close he starts to shriek. He doesn’t have an visible injuries other than looking a bit confused. I checked him for any broken bones and nothing I think. He has pecked at the food a few times but weakly won’t drink water as much either, he seems very tired. But he isn’t wobbling or have an visible injuries. I felt extremely bad for him but I don’t know what to do. He is currently sitting down and sleeping with his siblings but I’m just worried about what could happen. He is just extremely scared wont eat and drink as frequently and sleeps standing up. What should I do?

 

[Backyard-chicken-owner]

Update: his foot might be a little hurt because he keeps picking it up. There is some food on the ground since the others have made a mess so he sometimes (maybe once) pecks at it. Still no water though, I have tried to dribble it on his beak and he took the smaller tiny droplet

 

[cluckadoodledoo13]

I’ve never been in this situation so i don’t really know how to help. It’s important that he eats and drinks though, try getting him to drink of your finger? Keep us updated on how he does!

 

[cluckadoodledoo13]

@Tre3hugger @DobieLover @Dobiegirl22 @Farm Gurl @Farm life101 @Farmgirl549 @diamondsilkies
I’ve tagged some people who might be able to help!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Aw. I'm so sorry. I know you're being hard on yourself, but try not to be. Heck I've seen my mama hen fully punt her own chick on accident. It happens. I think you've done the right thing so far. Monitor the little guy closely. If it keeps favoring that foot after a day or too, perhaps you could make a brace for it? Try adding some vitamins and electrolytes to the water for a little boost. It's not your fault.

 

[Tre3hugger]

Sorry to hear about this. @humblehillsfarm pretty much nailed it. It seems like maybe he is a bit traumatized. I would observe but try to minimize handling for a few days if it is eliciting a negative response from him. Don't beat yourself up. Live and learn!

 

[Pounddogsrock]

I accidentally stepped on my chick and idk what to do

I have a little pen set up for my 4 chicks and I’m always EXTREMELY careful but when I took a step today to get out of the pen, a chick hurriedly went under my foot and I stepped on it, I quickly picked up my foot and I didn’t put all my pressure on him. He quickly scurried away scared and making crying noises I picked him up and took him to his heat lamp. He calmed down a bit but he is extremely scared of me every time I even get close he starts to shriek. He doesn’t have an visible injuries other than looking a bit confused. I checked him for any broken bones and nothing I think. He has pecked at the food a few times but weakly won’t drink water as much either, he seems very tired. But he isn’t wobbling or have an visible injuries. I felt extremely bad for him but I don’t know what to do. He is currently sitting down and sleeping with his siblings but I’m just worried about what could happen. He is just extremely scared wont eat and drink as frequently and sleeps standing up. What should I do?

Keep the stress level as low as possible. It’s good the baby is in the corner to stay away from the traffic of other chicks. It needs rest and to have quiet first. Hopefully, there are no internal injuries. I wouldn’t be picking it up too often to attempt the eat/drink issue. I’d leave it rest, hopefully gain strength back. I want to share that I witnessed an adult Guinea stepping directly on a day old baby. He didn’t look good. I did exactly the above and for 3 days dreaded the first time I’d look in the brooder, fearing I’d see his dead little body. He made it! If I’d have lost him, I would have only had 8 babies. So, his name became Number 9.

 

[Backyard-chicken-owner]

Hello everyone thank you for responding and calming my nerves down . It is the next day and she seems to be doing great! I’ve seen a her drink and eat multiple times through the days. I haven’t been handling her other than just taking her out to clean the bin. But she is walking on both legs and it not picking up the one I thought was hurt. I felt really bad about stepping on her and have learned to ALWAYS watch my step with them around. She seems to like the company of her siblings because her siblings absolutely love to climb on my hands and she also has started to do so. Thank you for giving me advice I really appreciate it!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Happy to hear! I always worry over things like this too.

 

[Pounddogsrock]

Hello everyone thank you for responding and calming my nerves down . It is the next day and she seems to be doing great! I’ve seen a her drink and eat multiple times through the days. I haven’t been handling her other than just taking her out to clean the bin. But she is walking on both legs and it not picking up the one I thought was hurt. I felt really bad about stepping on her and have learned to ALWAYS watch my step with them around. She seems to like the company of her siblings because her siblings absolutely love to climb on my hands and she also has started to do so. Thank you for giving me advice I really appreciate it!

I’m SO happy for you and the chick. Yay