Poorly chick

[EggQueen]

Hi all.

I am inexperienced at this so please forgive me if the answer is obvious... I have a 36-hour old chick, hatched in an incubator, who seemed to be doing ok at first, but have just found it under the heat lamp cold and hard with a floppy neck and its legs curled up. I thought it was dead and picked it up to go and bury it, but then it stretched its legs out and sort of swivelled its head round. I expected this was a reflex, but stroked its belly to be sure, and it opened its beak and cheeped very faintly, then weakly stood up. I have rubbed and stroked its belly some more, put some water in its beak and put it back in the incubator... Doesn't look good, but worth a try? Anyone have any thoughts on this? What could be the cause? Should I have just put it out of its misery? Does it have a chance?

Thanks,

EggQueen

 

[foreverlearning]

If there are no illnesses in your flock then it can just be failure to thrive. There is very little you can do at this point because it is so far gone already. You can try feeding it honey mixed with water to help. If that doesn't work then it would already be too late no matter what you tried. I am sorry you have to deal with this.

 

[EggQueen]

Thanks! It seems a little miracle has happened. Had to go and pick the kids up and when I got home 45 mins later, chick was hopping around in the incubator and chirped with delight on seeing us. Have tried to feed with cooked egg, as advised by a friend, and have put chick back under the heat lamp experimentally - will check regularly. I am completely amazed, as I really thought it was dead and was actually in the garden with the spade!

 

[nfire614]

I just recieved 9 baby chicks from a hatchery and one is not doing well any ideas ?

 

[foreverlearning]

I am surprised you were able to get it to eat anything. That is great news! Keep a really close eye in it for the next few days and

.

 

[EggQueen]

Thank you. I've put it back in the incubator for the night, because better safe than sorry and will see how it looks in the morning. Still happily chirping and flapping this evening. Amazing!

 

[WilhelminaD]

Yay! Glad it's recovered. Lots of good wishes for continued improvement.