Injured New Chick - What do I do?

[DarkWater1929]

I feel suddenly like a total newbie! I have not had a wounded chick before, and am terrified. I don't even have any vet wound supplies, except vet wrap, on hand.

My hen was sitting on "infertile" eggs. Our rooster was not old enough to do the job! Had never even crowed! Then, two eggs hatched. Environment completely unsuitable, because it wasn't meant to be! I guess that in getting to the ground, this one got hung up? The wound seems to be right where the leg connects to the body, but I can't really tell, and don't want to move the leg to check, in case it's broken. Baby does not use the leg at all, and the foot is limp.

How best to help this unexpected little morsel? Bathe it? Wrap it? I have some save a chick, but nothing else. No Neosporin. But, I could go get some. I brought family inside. Mom is psycho-protective, and I don't blame her. Should I wrap it?

My God, I don't want to screw this up! My guilt is already acute! This little character already seems so worthwhile and deserving. What a trooper! What is the best way to proceed, pretty please?

In the photos, the dark stuff is dried blood. The chick is all yellow. Only 2 or so days old, at most.

Thank you so very much!!!

 

[DarkWater1929]

Well, ok. Fair enough. I guess it's hard to advise, with so little to go on. So, here is my proposed strategy: clean the area, which likely will include the whole chick, because it is so teeny, in Dawn and salt water (very mild), blow it dry, and wrap it, gently but firmly, with trimmed vet wrap, to hold the leg still against the body. Check in 24-48 hours.

Does that make any sense? Can anyone see a flaw, or suggest a better course of action?

Thank you again for any help you can offer!

 

[MarlaMac]

@Wyorp Rock ?

 

[Debbie292d]

Wow, so your rooster does have what it takes, at least for two of them?

What I would do is inspect it. On a newly hatched chick, that more than likely is a major strain or sprain. I would get some B-complex, or at least some Poultry Cell vitamins for all of their water, adults too. You can give it to everyone else weekly or whatever, but for this chick, every other day. B-Complex comes in pills or liquid. We have both. I would crush a pill and give about a sixth of it to this one and give equal parts once per day.

Mix whatever you have into some chick crumbles and a little water so this one eats it all.

If it appears to just be sprained and you can't find a break in it, I'd keep it in a small box, off its feet, so it can rest, and not move around so much as trying to keep up with mom. Do you have a heating pad that stays on, or some time of heat lamp? Just be careful not to overheat the chick. This is going to take a few days or even a week or two. Your chick is going to cry. Any chance another one would hatch? Mom hen will be fine with one, and you could take another to be buddies for yours.

If you do find a break, let us know.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The wound seems to be right where the leg connects to the body,

I know you fear that you may hurt the chick, but it's necessary to get a good look at the wound and evaluate it.

Clean the wound with saline. You can make your own if you wish, recipe is below.
If you don't want to do that, then warm soapy water can be o.k., just rinse well.

Dry baby with a hair dryer. Even though Mama will warm her, a wet chick needs to be dried.

Do you have any type of ointment, vaseline, perhaps a little coconut oil that you can apply to the wound to keep it coated?

I would not wrap a wound unless you see that it's absolutely necessary, most wounds heal up better without a covering.




For Saline:
Mix 2teaspoons table salt to a quart of water, bring to boil, reduce to a simmer for 15minutes. Cool. Store in a sanitized jar for up to 24hrs, then make fresh.

 

[MarlaMac]

I know you fear that you may hurt the chick, but it's necessary to get a good look at the wound and evaluate it.

Clean the wound with saline. You can make your own if you wish, recipe is below.
If you don't want to do that, then warm soapy water can be o.k., just rinse well.

Dry baby with a hair dryer. Even though Mama will warm her, a wet chick needs to be dried.

Do you have any type of ointment, vaseline, perhaps a little coconut oil that you can apply to the wound to keep it coated?

I would not wrap a wound unless you see that it's absolutely necessary, most wounds heal up better without a covering.




For Saline:
Mix 2teaspoons table salt to a quart of water, bring to boil, reduce to a simmer for 15minutes. Cool. Store in a sanitized jar for up to 24hrs, then make fresh.

One thought...make sure the hair dryer you use is not a new dryer. Most are coated with toxic material and can harm/kill birds. Old dryers have had time to burn that coating off.

 

[Altairsky]

I had a cockerel that mated hens 3 times his size at 2 months old!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I had a cockerel that mated hens 3 times his size at 2 months old!

I hope you kept him!

 

[DarkWater1929]

I know you fear that you may hurt the chick, but it's necessary to get a good look at the wound and evaluate it.

Clean the wound with saline. You can make your own if you wish, recipe is below.
If you don't want to do that, then warm soapy water can be o.k., just rinse well.

Dry baby with a hair dryer. Even though Mama will warm her, a wet chick needs to be dried.

Do you have any type of ointment, vaseline, perhaps a little coconut oil that you can apply to the wound to keep it coated?

I would not wrap a wound unless you see that it's absolutely necessary, most wounds heal up better without a covering.




For Saline:
Mix 2teaspoons table salt to a quart of water, bring to boil, reduce to a simmer for 15minutes. Cool. Store in a sanitized jar for up to 24hrs, then make fresh.

Perfect. Thank you.

 

[DarkWater1929]

One thought...make sure the hair dryer you use is not a new dryer. Most are coated with toxic material and can harm/kill birds. Old dryers have had time to burn that coating off.

Oh, now that is very good information! Thank you! Fortunately, mine is nice and old.