New Hatchlings...(Tiny Has Grown Up Now....Update)

[Gonzo]

How cute! Love to see your "crackerjack suprise" when it gets older!

 

[joletabey]

How is the littlest one this morning? And do you have sunshine?

 

[speckledhen]

We have sunshine, blinding on the snow cover. Was under 20* this morning so I'm sure the snow is crunchy.

The tiny Ameraucana is probably not completely blind, but it will not try to eat or drink. We used a toothpick to open its beak and put some hardboiled egg in there and it will swallow, but if it was just blind with no other issues, you'd think it would be chowing down with enthusiasm after not eating for two days. It isn't. It climbed into DH's palm when he put it near the baby so it may be able to see some shadows, but I think it has other issues, as witnessed by it being literally half the size of the other chicks, including ones hatched after it.

 

[lockedhearts]

Quote:
Sounds like it just has no drive to live, that is sad, those chicks are the ones you want to fight hard for.

We have sun here, but not going to try and go out anywhere, Propane guy was just here and said the roads are awful! Hoping they clear for tomorrow.

 

[speckledhen]

Even if it could figure out how to eat or get up the desire to, I can't have another handicapped chicken. We take care of Zane, but it's a challenge sometimes to keep him interested in life, especially when he can't get out for days on end.

 

[usschicago1]

Quote:
Awwwww that makes me sad

Chicks are so adorable though

 

[Happy Chooks]

I'm sorry the little one isn't doing so well.

Congrats on the other babies. I'd really be interested in seeing the surprise chick as it grows. What a neat combination.

 

[speckledhen]

I'm sure it's mostly, if not completely, blind. It doesn't react to an eyedropper in front of its face and acts surprised if I touch it to its beak. And it falls asleep on top of the feeder with its beak in the feed and doesn't peck to eat. Failure to thrive just happens sometimes. I've had it happen on rare occasions, almost always with shipped chicks. Some are just too precious for this world.

 

[usschicago1]

Quote:
Beautifully Said

 

[speckledhen]

I just have to look at it that way, Mark. Here is a pic of the tiny one at the feeder, but it never eats. And then more pics of the group.