Possibly sick chick? HELP!!

[Chimie]

Hi! Just to preface this I'm VERY new to this community so sorry if I'm posting in the wrong place.
We have a community of semi-wild chickens in my neighborhood and one of our chickens, Ruth, recently hatched 10 chicks! The only problem is that one of her chicks hatched late and is a lot weaker than the other ones. It is very wobbly, can hardly stand on its own, and whenever it stands its wings spread out to its sides. I'm currently taking it in during the day and tending to it, but I want to know how sick it is and if it could spread to the other chicks. Thanks for your consideration!

 

[Pounddogsrock]

Hi! Just to preface this I'm VERY new to this community so sorry if I'm posting in the wrong place.
We have a community of semi-wild chickens in my neighborhood and one of our chickens, Ruth, recently hatched 10 chicks! The only problem is that one of her chicks hatched late and is a lot weaker than the other ones. It is very wobbly, can hardly stand on its own, and whenever it stands its wings spread out to its sides. I'm currently taking it in during the day and tending to it, but I want to know how sick it is and if it could spread to the other chicks. Thanks for your consideration!

Hi. I understand how upsetting this is. Don't give up. It's probably spreading its wings out to help compensate for lack of balance due to the weak legs. Until you can get to a store (I refer to that later), give it strong sugar water. Put some warm water and I'd do about 1/4 sugar, or even a third. The sugar will give it that boost it needs. If you have a Tractor Supply or feed store, tell them that you need electrolytes. They come in a powder form and you mix with water. Don't mix the whole packet because you want a fresh batch each day and time passing will break down the strength. Meanwhile, keep it warm, give it the sugar water. If it doesn't drink on its own, make sure you don't get the water into its nasal passages because it will then go to the lungs. YouTube how to open a baby birds mouth and use an eyedropper/syringe to get that sugar in there. I had a gosling laying flat on its back, legs kicking in the air, no strength....called my resource person who taught me, and he said mix up some strong sugar water. The gosling was up on its feet within 4 hours. I hope your chick makes it. Don't give up.

 

[Pounddogsrock]

Hi. I understand how upsetting this is. Don't give up. It's probably spreading its wings out to help compensate for lack of balance due to the weak legs. Until you can get to a store (I refer to that later), give it strong sugar water. Put some warm water and I'd do about 1/4 sugar, or even a third. The sugar will give it that boost it needs. If you have a Tractor Supply or feed store, tell them that you need electrolytes. They come in a powder form and you mix with water. Don't mix the whole packet because you want a fresh batch each day and time passing will break down the strength. Meanwhile, keep it warm, give it the sugar water. If it doesn't drink on its own, make sure you don't get the water into its nasal passages because it will then go to the lungs. YouTube how to open a baby birds mouth and use an eyedropper/syringe to get that sugar in there. I had a gosling laying flat on its back, legs kicking in the air, no strength....called my resource person who taught me, and he said mix up some strong sugar water. The gosling was up on its feet within 4 hours. I hope your chick makes it. Don't give up.

When I said, "keep it warm", I meant the chick, not the water. But, yes, use warm water to dilute the sugar faster.

 

[Chimie]

Hi. I understand how upsetting this is. Don't give up. It's probably spreading its wings out to help compensate for lack of balance due to the weak legs. Until you can get to a store (I refer to that later), give it strong sugar water. Put some warm water and I'd do about 1/4 sugar, or even a third. The sugar will give it that boost it needs. If you have a Tractor Supply or feed store, tell them that you need electrolytes. They come in a powder form and you mix with water. Don't mix the whole packet because you want a fresh batch each day and time passing will break down the strength. Meanwhile, keep it warm, give it the sugar water. If it doesn't drink on its own, make sure you don't get the water into its nasal passages because it will then go to the lungs. YouTube how to open a baby birds mouth and use an eyedropper/syringe to get that sugar in there. I had a gosling laying flat on its back, legs kicking in the air, no strength....called my resource person who taught me, and he said mix up some strong sugar water. The gosling was up on its feet within 4 hours. I hope your chick makes it. Don't give up.

Thanks for the advice! I was a bit too late though and it passed away during the night. It was just too weak. The good news though is that none of the other chicks are sick and are romping about outside with their mother.