I put 43 eggs into my top hatch incubator 4 weeks ago and unfortunately only one of them hatched. 5 days before the scheduled date of hatching there were 5 eggs with movement and something happened that caused them to not make it so this has been a very disheartening incident. Anyway after all of that, Bob the problem chick entered our lives. For some reason I usually use the generic name Bob for a lot of things so regardless of sex the chick is called Bob.
The first problem was that Bob came out with a mild case of spraddle leg. It seemed to be getting worse so we applied the bandaid treatment and he is now able to get around much easier.
The second problem is that poor Bob is all alone for the moment. If the third problem seems to be resolving itself then this will be rectified as approved by the "No more chickens" committee consisting of my DW. The latest batch of chicks at the feed store are larger than Bob and we don't want him to be the littlest one of the brood. It is sad to hear because as soon as Bob hears any of us around he starts madly peeping and gets really content when he is held.
The third problem is that we've not seen Bob drink very much water. He does peck at food though. I've considered giving him some through a small eye dropper but I don't think that it is to that stage yet.I've never paid a lot of attention to chicks drinking habits before. They usually just run off and do the things that chicks do. i.e. eat, drink, poop, and flee the hand.
Other than my concerns, Bob seems quite capable at the moment. He can run fairly well with the spraddle band aid. He still falls over on occasion but it is doing its trick. I'm usually pretty secure in my raising capabilities. I've had chicks brooded by hens die before and it is sad but not that big of a deal. But now I feel that I have an at risk chick and this is one that my DW and I really want to do well. As it is Bob already has fallen under protected status. Protected Status is an honor given to my chickens for being special in some manner. So far only Bob and my Silver Sebright rooster Laru have received the honor. We won't tell Bob about it until he gets older as it might go to his head.
Any thoughts as to additional feeding or water methods in case they are needed?
The first problem was that Bob came out with a mild case of spraddle leg. It seemed to be getting worse so we applied the bandaid treatment and he is now able to get around much easier.
The second problem is that poor Bob is all alone for the moment. If the third problem seems to be resolving itself then this will be rectified as approved by the "No more chickens" committee consisting of my DW. The latest batch of chicks at the feed store are larger than Bob and we don't want him to be the littlest one of the brood. It is sad to hear because as soon as Bob hears any of us around he starts madly peeping and gets really content when he is held.
The third problem is that we've not seen Bob drink very much water. He does peck at food though. I've considered giving him some through a small eye dropper but I don't think that it is to that stage yet.I've never paid a lot of attention to chicks drinking habits before. They usually just run off and do the things that chicks do. i.e. eat, drink, poop, and flee the hand.
Other than my concerns, Bob seems quite capable at the moment. He can run fairly well with the spraddle band aid. He still falls over on occasion but it is doing its trick. I'm usually pretty secure in my raising capabilities. I've had chicks brooded by hens die before and it is sad but not that big of a deal. But now I feel that I have an at risk chick and this is one that my DW and I really want to do well. As it is Bob already has fallen under protected status. Protected Status is an honor given to my chickens for being special in some manner. So far only Bob and my Silver Sebright rooster Laru have received the honor. We won't tell Bob about it until he gets older as it might go to his head.
Any thoughts as to additional feeding or water methods in case they are needed?
