I'm an idiot! I cracked an egg open and there was a live chick inside!

[san415]

Sorry I don't know the answer but wanted you to know I am hoping for the best for you.

 

[alphazimbo]

So, here is my new dilemma - my little premature keet isn't showing any signs of being able to walk properly and it is exhausting her/himself *trying* to walk. I've looked at the string of posts about splinting legs here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=233072 and I've looked at the website about "spraddle legs" here: http://www.poultryhelp.com/spraddle.html but I don't know which one is more applicable...Basically what he/she is doing is try to walk, leaning on it's hocks when standing and then falling over to one side....Here are some photos.....Any and all advice would be appreciated...

 

[joeyg4583]

Any updates? Did she get better? I hope so.

 

[ScratchesWithChickens]

I had a chick hatch recently that couldn't stand or walk and obviously couldn't drink or eat because of this so I just hand fed it water with vitamins and GSE(grapefruit seed extract). It was so bad that it was getting stuck on it's back all the time. I was really worried for a while and my boyfriend didn't think it was going to make it but I wasn't going to give up on it. It got stronger and healthier with the regular hand feedings of vitamin water and now it's just as bouncy as the rest of it's friends. I'm certainly no expert but that's what's worked for me every time I've had a weak chick. Good luck with your little chick!

-Alex

 

[alphazimbo]

Hey all, she's not doing great - trying very hard to walk, still. It seems like the strength in her left leg has gotten better but now she lacks balance... and keeps falling over. She's still eating and drinking well although I have to give her water with a syringe (she's always thirsty!), and basically stick her face right in her food in order for her to succeed in eating but she does eat! I'm also giving her something we have here in New Zealand called "Karicare" (similar to poly-vi-sol?) which is a supplement for newborn babies. It has Vitamin A, C, and D (no iron!) in it and doesn't seem to help a whole lot and she hates the taste but I'm giving it to her anyway! lol

I also looked at the website on foot and leg problems (http://www.guineafowl.com/fritsfarm/guineas/problems/) and made her a sling out of a shoe-box and some fabric with holes for her legs and a hole for feces etc. She spends a lot of time "walking" in it - ha, it's like a baby bouncer, except for a baby bird! I've had to cut down on the amount of time she spends in the sling though because I think she is exhausting herself.

Does anyone else have any suggestions as to what I can give her (preferably liquid so I can give it to her from a syringe) to supplement what I'm giving her now?

Thank you all for being so helpful!!

 

[Daidohead]

I read a post some time ago that said to put the chick in a snug fitting, round bottom cup, or bowl. It held them upright but did not exhaust the chick. There was something about the rounded bottom that helped the chick gain strength in their leggs. I will try and find the post, it makes much more sense than I do.

 

[alphazimbo]

Hello all! My little keet is doing sooo much better, it's standing and walking (although somewhat unsteady) and I think it's going to live!!

Here is a photo of him:

Thank you everyone for your advice and help!!

Tanya

 

[Kittymomma]

Yeah! That is great news, and thanks so much for letting us know how it turned out.

 

[usschicago1]

What about the others? Im thinking they are stuck in the eggs lol ?

 

[Ban seabhag]

Quote:
I've been following this and am so glad she (he?) is doing so well.