Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[kathyinmo]

It's a tough call, Jeremy. I waited 3 or 4 days on one of mine that had a slipped tendon. I only waited that long, because I know they are still absorbing the yolk and can live without food and water for 3 days. It didn't get any better, and I did kill it. That is the only one I have had to do that with. The others were older, when I discovered they were dwarfs.

 

[Laney]

I would get a second heat lamp, a small cardboard box and separate the two with problems from the main flock. They will keep each other company. Then put a small waterer and feeder in with them. You'll have need over time for this setup for nursing sick chickens and chicks if you are going to breed chickens. I must have 6 or 7 heat lamps between the goats and chickens.

Make sure the box is big enough that they can get away from the heat if they choose to (scoot away in the really bad off chicks case). Place the one that has serious trouble moving near the food and water. Make sure to take them out at least twice a day and check to be sure they are eating. Offer them that treat of the egg (boiled or scrambled). Keep offering them the vitamin and electrolyte water 3 days on 3 days off.

If they don't improve in 2 weeks with bandaging and splinting then I would probably cull. However, I would give them enough time with TLC and separation from the flock to recover. You can let them spend a bit of time in with the flock if your around just to stay familiar with each other.... but right now it's more important to make sure they aren't stepped on and have no competition keeping them out of the food and water. It will be good for them to have another injured chick for company. If the dime isn't working, try something different, like tongue depressors, popsicle sticks, or just cutting out the pads from a couple of bandaids and wadding them up and then using a full bandaid to tape them on.

Good Luck! We are pulling for these two little chickies!
eta: Any chick that appears to be in pain should be culled immediately. I'm not one to tolerate suffering.


Laney

 

[jeremy]

Kathy and Laney, thank you both for your quick responses. I don't have another heat lamp to separate them yet but I will go get on tomorrow. I'm going to try everything I possibly can before I have to cull.

ETA: On a happier note Delaware fans, I ordered a dozen (+ extras) Del hatching eggs from Bill Braden today. I had been on a waiting list for over 3 months! He finally emailed me last week when I was hatching and asked if I still would like some eggs, I told him after the first of April and he agreed that he could ship them then. I've heard many different things about his birds, some good and some not so good. I figured it would be worth a shot to raise some up and see how they rate when compared to standards. If they look like quality birds I'll eventually breed them with the chicks I hatched from Cyn's eggs to promote biodiversity. I'm also thinking about getting some Lavender split Ameraucanas from pips&peeps to incubate with these eggs too. What do you think?

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
I think you are gonna join the group .....

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
I think you are gonna join the group ..... https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/15239_hatchaholics.gif

L0L, but they're so cute Kathy! How could I not want them..........

Delaware babies are still the cutest though, the little ones that I have running around the brooder are absolutely adorable. Whenever I peek my face in to check on them the Dels are always the first to run right up to me and stretch out trying to get a better look at me!

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
OH, those Delawares are the best! Honestly, I have several breeds to compare to, and there is just nothing like those Delawares. My whole family loves how friendly they are! You are now OWNED by Delawares! They will melt your heart.

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
OH, those Delawares are the best! Honestly, I have several breeds to compare to, and there is just nothing like those Delawares. My whole family loves how friendly they are! You are now OWNED by Delawares! They will melt your heart.

I've started calling one of them "my little roo". He's definitely the most inquisitive about anything. He's always the first to run up to me and start pecking my hand when I put it in the brooder. He likes to stand up tall and get a good look at me. He'll already eat chick starter right out of my hands. He's also huge!

Hopefully he's the only little boy that hatched, I somehow doubt that I'd be that lucky... either way he's too cute.

 

[kathyinmo]

That is what is so unique about the Dels. No other breed that I have has been so friendly. They are just all about human contact, I swear! Now, my older ones,a couple of the girls, like to sit on our lap! Yes, they jump right up and sit on our lap!

 

[joletabey]

Jeremy- you are now definitely owned by Delawares and need to add SDWD to your signature line.
Don't fight it. Dellie mind control wins out in the end every time.

 

[speckledhen]

Jeremy, they are evil little heart stealers for sure! Can't say you weren't warned, can you? They really are wonderful. Isaac is amazing. He minds better than my dog does and loves chest rubs. And the three girls I kept, Georgie, Ellie and Maxie, are the most loving girls. Georgie pulls on pants legs, Ellie scratches on pants with her feet and Maxie hops up to whatever is closer to your face and chases you back and forth to get your attention. All three love being held and cuddled. They are real people-chickens.
As far as the little one, if it can't get to food and water and is having that hard of a time, yes, I'd euthanize the poor baby. You can certainly give it more time, though. I think you'll feel when it's time. As far as a pigeon toed one, I'm not sure if that is a problem or not. If it's walking okay, may not need any boots. And the legs may straighten out as it grows--some are so crammed in their eggs, they seem to have legs that aren't quite straight for the first week. That is, if I'm understanding what you mean about it.