Newly hatched Serama chick doesn't stand up - :(

[HunniB]

After two great broods of Serama chicks this summer, the last Mama hen left some eggs in the nest and went off to care for the others that had already hatched. We took the rest of the eggs and put them into an incubator - we really didn't think that we would have any luck, but one of the eggs hatched out yesterday. (The other chicks that had hatched are almost 3 weeks old, so I think that one of the other hens had been laying new eggs under our broody mom.)

So, back to the issue, the little one that hatched yesterday doesn't stand up. It just sort of flounders around. We have brought it into the house under a heat lamp and have been feeding and watering it. We did a quick bit of checking inline and thought that maybe he/she had spraddle legs and so we have used the bandaid method to try and fix that. But, it still seems like it just won't stand up at all.

With the other chicks we don't know how long they stayed under the moms after actually hatching and are wondering if maybe in the first day or so, they don't walk around anyway. But, I have to say that it keeps trying to get up and it just kind of wriggles around trying to move. I feel terrible watching the poor wee thing and I have a feeling that this may be something beyond help.

Does anyone else have anything to offer in terms of a diagnosis or suggestions?

 

[boogiedog]

I had one chick hatch (yesterday) have difficulty standing up - she kept flipping onto her back, lots of peeping, very concerning. After a few hours she seemed to get her feet under her. This morning is fine. How is yours doing?

 

[HunniB]

He/she hatched yesterday morning and is still having trouble. My husband seems convinced that he/she is better now than in the beginning, but I am not convinced. Although he is the one with the nursing education, so maybe he does indeed know what he is talking about.

Fingers crossed that it is just a maturity thing....it is sssooo cute!!