Late Hatch mobility compromised - please give advice

[dawn secord]

I have a unique situation. I have an almost 7 year old Satin hen that I have never been able to get chicks from. She took a shine to my mature Silkie cockerel and gave me 7 eggs. The first hatched - strong. Pipped at day 18, shot out of the egg on day 19. The hen was laying every 2 to 3 days so eggs in the incubator were staggered. Eggs 2, 3, 4 failed to thrive. Egg 5 was fertilized but no pip until late on day 21. (eggs 6 and 7 were duds)

On day 22, pip was large and membrane was drying so I decided to expand the zip for it. It hatched itself a matter of a few hours later.

Day 23 it was still recovering from the hatch but didn't seem like it was coming around like normal chicks. I gave it some chick electrolytes and Poultry Nutri-Drench with an eye dropper through out the day.

Day 24 no improvement in AM, floundering around and unable to stand. I went out and purchased some vitamins thinking it may be a deficiency or wry neck. I started the wry neck protocol - Vitamin E, Selenium and Vitamin B complex. To my surprise, later in the day - it began to have movement in the toes, straightening it's legs while I supported it and using them like a normal chick. Not able to stand on its own though. A total and complete limp limp. I continued the vitamins throughout the day. Mashed chick start and started getting some nutrients in it. For the most part, when I return it to the incubator, it flips on it side and can not stand or get its feet under it.

Day 25 I notice change. After 1st feeding and vitamins, was able to get its legs under it for a second and almost took a few kind of crawling steps. Then flipped back on it side. It is almost an invalid and really can not sit up or stand yet (but I am hopeful since its feet are responding). It also flapped both wings once or twice. So, there are changes, though small, in the extremities.

It is such a big deal to me to get chicks out of this hen. At her age, she may not last another winter. She was bred by Sheri Minkner and has a special meaning to me. I really don't want to give up on this chick. The improvements are tiny - but there are improvements. Is there anything else I can do to help it? Thank you so much for any tips or advice.

 

[GodLovesU]

@Eggcessive

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your chick. I used to hatch a few chicks, and unfortunately lost a couple who could not stand and would not eat. You can try standing the chick in a small wineglass or padded cup so that it can try to gain strength in the legs. I would keep using the vitamins, especially B complex, and feed it chick crumbles, water, and a little egg. But some chicks will just not improve. That is why I stopped hatching chicks. I had more luck with broody hatched chicks. Good luck.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Since you partially assisted the hatch it’s actually normal for them to not be as strong compared to a chick that hatched completely on its own. That process of unzipping builds strength. Chicks have no muscles and that pushing to unzip is what gets them strong enough for walking. I always dose with poultry cell daily for the first 2 weeks with any assisted hatch. I have had both chicks and ducklings go from flopping like a fish to perfectly normal using it.

 

[dawn secord]

Since you partially assisted the hatch it’s actually normal for them to not be as strong compared to a chick that hatched completely on its own. That process of unzipping builds strength. Chicks have no muscles and that pushing to unzip is what gets them strong enough for walking. I always dose with poultry cell daily for the first 2 weeks with any assisted hatch. I have had both chicks and ducklings go from flopping like a fish to perfectly normal using it.

Thank you so much. I'll run by Tractor Supply in the morning. I did see it there. It is starting to have some reflexes in the legs and hold its head up briefly. Appreciate your advice and encouragement.

 

[dawn secord]

Thank you so much. I'll run by Tractor Supply in the morning. I did see it there. It is starting to have some reflexes in the legs and hold its head up briefly. Appreciate your advice and encouragement.

Thank you so much. I'll run by Tractor Supply in the morning. I did see it there. It is starting to have some reflexes in the legs and hold its head up briefly. Appreciate your advice and encouragement.

Since you partially assisted the hatch it’s actually normal for them to not be as strong compared to a chick that hatched completely on its own. That process of unzipping builds strength. Chicks have no muscles and that pushing to unzip is what gets them strong enough for walking. I always dose with poultry cell daily for the first 2 weeks with any assisted hatch. I have had both chicks and ducklings go from flopping like a fish to perfectly normal using it.

Since you partially assisted the hatch it’s actually normal for them to not be as strong compared to a chick that hatched completely on its own. That process of unzipping builds strength. Chicks have no muscles and that pushing to unzip is what gets them strong enough for walking. I always dose with poultry cell daily for the first 2 weeks with any assisted hatch. I have had both chicks and ducklings go from flopping like a fish to perfectly normal u

Since you partially assisted the hatch it’s actually normal for them to not be as strong compared to a chick that hatched completely on its own. That process of unzipping builds strength. Chicks have no muscles and that pushing to unzip is what gets them strong enough for walking. I always dose with poultry cell daily for the first 2 weeks with any assisted hatch. I have had both chicks and ducklings go from flopping like a fish to perfectly normal using it.

How do you mix the Poultry Cell? Stronger than the average maintenance ratio which is identified on the bottle? Thank you.

you partially assisted the hatch it’s actually normal for them to not be as strong compared to a chick that hatched completely on its own. That process of unzipping builds strength. Chicks have no muscles and that pushing to unzip is what gets them strong enough for walking. I always dose with poultry cell daily for the first 2 weeks with any assisted hatch. I have had both chicks and ducklings go from flopping like a fish to perfectly normal using it.

 

[dawn secord]

HollowofWisps, How do you dilute the poultry cell - or do you? Do you do as instructed on the bottle or stronger? Thank you. The chick is pretty fragile but still hanging in there. Still flopping. I started the Poultry Cell yesterday, but mixed it stronger than noted on the bottle - probably 20 to 1. Worried it is too strong. Thank you.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I have hatched a chick with bad legs before, usually I put it in with younger than chicks. The chick doesn't have to compete with healthier chicks. I had one I called Quazzy and it's feet were always by its ears. It did get better...

I had a different chick- Finn- Who was really good with younger chicks who never got better.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

HollowofWisps, How do you dilute the poultry cell - or do you? Do you do as instructed on the bottle or stronger? Thank you. The chick is pretty fragile but still hanging in there. Still flopping. I started the Poultry Cell yesterday, but mixed it stronger than noted on the bottle - probably 20 to 1. Worried it is too strong. Thank you.

I give it undiluted with a syringe one drop at a time, but mixing it stronger just in the water should work if you don’t want to dose directly orally.