live hatchling--hasn't moved in 5 hours except to breathe

[froghollowchickenmamma]

I have an evolving chick crisis I am so confused by--apologies in advance for my ignorance here.

About 5 hours ago I opened my nesting box and found one of the broody hens had gone off her eggs. I was shocked to see two chicks had hatched--our rooster was taken by a fox more than 3 weeks ago and we did not think there could possibly have been any fertilized eggs so I was not monitoring carefully.

I don't know how long the chicks were left abandoned. They both looked dead. When I picked them up I realized one was responding to my touch. I hustled them both inside and put them under our heat lamp.

Since then, I have dipped their beaks in water a few times. Both have continued to lie still, eyes closed. The one I knew was alive has fluffed up; the other has not and I now assume there is no question it is not alive. But what about the other chick? Is there anything I can do to encourage its chances of survival? The fact that it has not made any kind of movement is not a good sign, I assume?

Any guidance appreciated.

 

[nuthatched]

Can you warm them up? Try egg yolk water with sugar.

 

[onwingandhoof]

I have an evolving chick crisis I am so confused by--apologies in advance for my ignorance here.

About 5 hours ago I opened my nesting box and found one of the broody hens had gone off her eggs. I was shocked to see two chicks had hatched--our rooster was taken by a fox more than 3 weeks ago and we did not think there could possibly have been any fertilized eggs so I was not monitoring carefully.

I don't know how long the chicks were left abandoned. They both looked dead. When I picked them up I realized one was responding to my touch. I hustled them both inside and put them under our heat lamp.

Since then, I have dipped their beaks in water a few times. Both have continued to lie still, eyes closed. The one I knew was alive has fluffed up; the other has not and I now assume there is no question it is not alive. But what about the other chick? Is there anything I can do to encourage its chances of survival? The fact that it has not made any kind of movement is not a good sign, I assume?

Any guidance appreciated.

I had a similar situation. Make sure both babies are heated as much as they need. If possible, they need a little weight to feel like mom is with them. I held mine in a microwave heated towel and then a heating pad. I made sure he wasnt too hot and talked to them the whole time. Sometimes they need stimulation to pay attention too. Keep talking and rubbing gently so they know someone is there so that will elicit a response from them.