my chick hatched but can't stand up... now what?

[Rosalinda]

My chick hatched yesterday but he can't stand on his legs. He lets me feed him and give him water so he's pretty strong but just can't stand up... Is there hope for him?

 

[chickenhick]

I read in another post similar to yours:

Try giving her vitamins.

You can use either Avia-Charge or baby vitamins like Poly-Vi-Sol liquid, a drop on her beak three times a day for a few days then taper off


Also, make sure she can get to the water and food and that the other chicks aren't pecking her Good luck!

 

[Rosalinda]

Thanks! I didn't know about baby vitams.. hope it works too!

 

[chickenhick]

Please keep me updated!

 

[I'vegotchickenfever]

Is he spraddled legged? Curled toes? or are the legs just weak?

 

[Rosalinda]

He doesn't have curled toes. I am not sure if it's his feet or his legs. He seems to be holding one leg close to his body and pushes himself around with the other. He is chirping and alert. I haven't seen him poop.. Hope that's working ok.

 

[I'vegotchickenfever]

There's a little splint that you can make from tape or bandaids to keep the legs in proper position so they can try to stand and walk on their own. We did it with a couple of our chicks and now they can walk on their own. Also, we coiled a cloth in a doughnut shape and put the chick in it to have it sit up on it's legs. See if you can't find that post here on BYC - it had a really great photo of what it's suppposed to look like. I'll try to find it too.

 

[I'vegotchickenfever]

http://www.poultryhelp.com/spraddle.html

I found it - try this. I will be following...

 

[Rosalinda]

Maybe he does have a bit of spraddled legs but not as bad as in the picture. I am going to try it now. thanks for the link!