newly hatched chick can't stand

[elaineavt]

Help!
I have a chick that hatched about 10 hours ago. From the get-go, the chick has been unable to stand. It lies on its side and holds one leg up near its head. It scrambles around on its back or side, but I've not seen it stable on its feet. I've just moved it to a shoebox in the brooder so that the others won't peck at it. It is fluffed out and looks okay except for the way it lies on its side and holds its legs. This is my first time hatching out chicks (since I was a kid) so I could use some advice.
Thanks.

 

[sheila3935]

give it some time and put electrolyte/vitamin in its water. Try dribbling some along its beak. I had a bantam cochin that I hatched that took 3 days to walk. He is fine now.

 

[elaineavt]

Thank you for the advice. How much liquid should I try to get the chick to drink? A few drops? More? And how often would you suggest I do this?

 

[ScissorChick]

If he just hatched, this is actually normal. They flop around like fish at first.

You can put a tiny pinch of electrolytes, or three table spoons of sugar

in about a quart of water, and dip his beak in the water once every

30 minutes - 1 hour. Keep us updated!

 

[Silkie Sue]

Good luck with the little fuzzybutt... i hope she figures it out soon

 

[elaineavt]

Thanks for the advice. I'm feeding the chick gatorade every hour or so and its starting to drink better for me. The chick still lies on its side and seems to bicycle its legs when it's awake, spinning around. Otherwise it sleeps mostly. It is stretching out its legs more, though, so I'm hoping that's an encouraging sign. It looks like this will be a long night. Any other advice will be appreciated.

 

[elaineavt]

Hi,
I fed the chick gatorade about every hour last night. It drank some each time. Still doing about the same today. It just rests in between. So, I'm feeling a bit defeated. I don't know if I should try anything else, or how long I should continue feeding it liquids hourly. At what point should it even try to use its legs? I've tried putting it in an upright position a few times, but it scrambles to its side.

 

[McKNuts]

Did your chick end up making it? I also have a chick doing the same thing. I read on another thread that I should give it an egg yolk mixed with 2 tbsp water to drink. Have you heard of this?

 

[casportpony]

Did your chick end up making it? I also have a chick doing the same thing. I read on another thread that I should give it an egg yolk mixed with 2 tbsp water to drink. Have you heard of this?

Welcome to BYC!
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How old is your chick? I've had a few that didn't stand for 24 hours, so maybe it just needs more time?

-Kathy