LOPSIDED CHICK - Please Help!

[Nizzletripe]

I am a teacher and hatched chicks in two classrooms. I had 12 eggs in each classroom. All twelve eggs hatched in 21 days in one classroom on Tuesday (May 26) and all appear to be doing well. In the other classroom, of the 12 eggs, only two hatched after 25 days. Of those two, one struggled for hours and then died. The other also struggled and appeared to be having great difficulty pecking out of its egg. After 24 hours, I was worried and decided to help it along. I did this slowly and removed only enough shell and membrane for the tiny guy to finish its process. The membrane was extremely dry and I sprayed a little water hoping this would help. After a while it did hatch, exhausted and trembling. I continued to watch it all day long. When it dried completely, I was concerned about leaving it in the incubator for the weekend, so I took it home with me. That was yesterday, (May 30) its not quite 2 days old. I have him/her in a box with a heat lamp and he seems to be okay. However, when the chick walks, it is lopsided. It seems to favor one side. It's head is tilted to the right. It hops around, chirps and is quiet fiesty. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what this might be? I plan on keeping it because of this deformity? Do you think it will survive? I put a little chicken starter in a lid and a bit of water. It has taken food but I have not seen it drink. Should I use an eyedropper and give it water? If so, how much? It pooped, but it was a watery green? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Sometimes that happens because they've been in the egg too long. I've had that happen especially with the feet - they are curled and often they stay that way. Green poop is normal for the first day or so, no worries there. You could try giving it a little sugar water to perk it up. Sometimes all you have to do is dip its beak in the waterer and it'll figure it out. If it's eating, that's a good sign but try not to get too attached

 

[threehorses]

LilRalphieRoosmama is right - you have to teach it to drink.

Honestly I'd bring two babies home to keep it company - the smallest of the other hatch. They eat better with buddies, trying to figure out what their buddy is eating. It might pass, but it might grow up to be a very special little baby!

 

[threehorses]

By the way, sometimes sprinkling some crumbles in the wate rwhile the chick is watching teaches it to drink. It'll go for the crumbles because they kind of move in the water. Then accidentally get water, look very offended for a moment (probably fall backwards). Then they're like "what was that??" Then they see another crumble, get accidental water, rinse and repeat.

It's really hysterical to watch.

Imagine feeling water and food go down your throat for the first time?

Incidentally, they should usually drink first - then get crumbles. But at least he's eating! I think he's a spunky little dude, and I seriously hope he makes it.


Also, that batch might have not hatched because of nutritional deficiencies. It wouldn't hurt to put a little boiled egg yolk and water in a batch of crumbles once a day for him. If he's not drinking and doesn't learn immediately, I mix the crumbles with water so he gets some moisture.

If your other chicks ever have a hard time eating (some just can't get it at first) on first try, you can mist the crumbles and that makes them bounce around alot less for the first day.

 

[merry hens]

I've seen that a lot while hatching chickens and quails. Slow hatchers, they get all cramped up with twisted heads/necks. They usually grow out of it in a few days, except for the most extreme cases. Hope your chick grows out of it too! I second the "buddy" idea, he might need a friend for encouragement.

 

[Nizzletripe]

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and good wishes. I will try your suggestions and let you know how he/she is doing. It's sooo hard to not get attached, however, I'm glad I took her home and I'll continue to try things to keep her or him alive. Thank you again