Not sure what is wrong

[kelidei]

My little guy who finally hatched yesterday morning (very slow hatch) has me puzzled. He walks like a drunken chick. I can see no gross abnormality to its feet or legs and it seems otherwise healthy. He is eating and active but is having a problem drinking because the poor thing loses it's balance and falls into the dish... so I put a much smaller container in but haven't seen him drink yet. I have been using a syringe to give him drops of water. I guess I am wondering if anyone has an idea what might be going on. If he leans against something he is fine--- it's weird. I have a furry beanie baby in with him for comfort and he is often standing and leaning against it. He hops around, falls over and gets up and tries again---eyes are bright, fur is all fluffy--- he is just walking around like a drunken sailor... HELP!

 

[farmin'chick]

When Peeps, my grocery store egg chick hatched, it took him 3 days to really be able to hold his head up and balance all the time.

I put beads in a peanut butter jar lid for his waterer because I was afraid he would fall face first in it and drown. Now, he's doing great!

That's him in the very back corner.

So, don't give up yet! He may just need more time to develop.

 

[kelidei]

farmin'chick :

When Peeps, my grocery store egg chick hatched, it took him 3 days to really be able to hold his head up and balance all the time. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/27943_peeps1.jpg
I put beads in a peanut butter jar lid for his waterer because I was afraid he would fall face first in it and drown. Now, he's doing great!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/27943_broodies_005.jpg
That's him in the very back corner.

So, don't give up yet! He may just need more time to develop.

Thank you so much for the encouragement. That is what I am hoping. If it looked like he was ill or deformed I wouldn't put all this effort into making sure he is eating and drinking but he seems otherwise healthy--- and dang it he is adorable--- the cutest of the bunch. I'll post a pic as soon as I can.​