Shrink wrapped chick

[15WildTurkey]

I had my silky Taco sit on a couple of eggs. She evicted 2 but managed to hatch one. A couple days before hatch she sat on the wrong nest. Her egg got quite cool, but it is in the high 70s here. Anyway. It hatched on day 21. However it was the least hearty chick I’ve ever seen. Firstly it’s tiny but it is part silky, secondly, it had the yolk sac still attached. I’ve never seen that before. And also it never fluffed up. It dried but had only a fluffy patch here and there. That was Tuesday. It’s “bellybutton” is drying up ok. But it’s still quite unsteady. I’ve always experienced chicks to be busy busy by day 2-3. Today I decided to try and clean it up. Warm bath and blow dry for baby and mommas underside too. I’m much happier with baby’s activity level now. Hopefully it continues to gain strength. Attached a before and after. I have them in a tub to be able to stretch but not encounter the other bigger birdies yet.

 

[Keeperofmunchkins]

How is the chick doing now? It seems like it had a rough hatch and hatched too fast.

Definitely keep mother and chick away from the other chickens. I would not advise keeping them on smooth paper because it is slippery for the chick's legs and could cause splay legs. Paper towels or cloth towels would be better, or some kind of sawdust/shavings.

The chick looks very weak so you could try gently dipping its beak in sugar water about every hour.

How is the navel area looking? Sometimes chicks hatch without fully absorbing the yolk and the stuff hanging out will shrivel up and fall off, but infection or injury from the stuff being pulled on are risks. If a lot of the yolk was not absorbed the chick will be hungry and thirsty because usually the absorbed yolk would sustain them for the first couple of days.

 

[15WildTurkey]

Thanks for responding, it hatched Tuesday. Yeah I think too Fast. Poor little thing, I never thought of that happening when it was hatched by momma.
It’s doing much better now. It’s been eating and drinking and seems way more steady on its feet after it’s salon visit. Yes I agree on the paper, that was just til I got out near the barn for some hay and straw. Mom and baby are in that tub with food and water and bedding. And a screen over top. I put the tub in the coop so they aren’t too isolated from the rest of the gang. I’m really hoping the little one makes it. And I’m really hoping it’s a little boy. I’m 99% sure my rooster is shooting blanks! I’ve had proven Broodies sit on eggs a few times now and nothing. No veins no sign of germination at all. I got these couple of eggs from a friend and sure enough, hatch. He mounts them all day, none of them are too fluffy in the butt area. Seems quite rare and so disappointing as he’s beautiful and the first non aggressive rooster we’ve had.

 

[15WildTurkey]

Baby is doing good today. Much more alert and active.