GypsyRevivals
Hatching
- May 18, 2016
- 2
- 0
- 7
Hi,
I am a first time grandma as far as having a hen raise babies and have a sick little one. She was broody and sitting on non-fertilized eggs, so I got her four from our local farm where my hen came from as well. They hatched Saturday, so currently 5 days old. All is well with the exception of the silkie chick; I know this breed is more fragile in general but I am not sure what to do! I've read SO MANY forums here and sought answers from internet research, so I'm sorry if this is redundant. I guess I just want specific advice so I don't feel so alone and helpless!
First, I can't determine what is wrong with him. Initially I thought it was wry neck, but now he seems to be holding his head up and not tumbling over backwards. Now I think he might have splayed feet or just be weak in general. The other three chicks are a Lavender Orp & 2 Swedish Flowers. They are twice his size if not more and eating/drinking/hopping on mom, etc. All he wants to do is stay underneath mama and chirps VERY loudly if left on his own or out in the open, non-stop. No attempts at eating or drinking or his own. I have removed him several times and given him a dropper with water, vitamin e, selenium and poly-visol mix. Have also gotten him to drink some water with electrolytes. He drinks when coaxed and seems to swallow fine.
My questions are:
How often do I need to be doing this and how much solution specifically should I be trying to get down each time?
Should I separate him from the mom and other babies (terrified he's going to get smashed/suffocated/picked on/etc) or just take and feed him and return him daily? I have a heat lamp/cage set up, but I've put him in there briefly and he seems very distressed. I don't want to make it worse & I also don't want the mom/other babies to think I'm the enemy.
Thanks so much for any help!
I'm calling him Sprout, poor little one
I am a first time grandma as far as having a hen raise babies and have a sick little one. She was broody and sitting on non-fertilized eggs, so I got her four from our local farm where my hen came from as well. They hatched Saturday, so currently 5 days old. All is well with the exception of the silkie chick; I know this breed is more fragile in general but I am not sure what to do! I've read SO MANY forums here and sought answers from internet research, so I'm sorry if this is redundant. I guess I just want specific advice so I don't feel so alone and helpless!
First, I can't determine what is wrong with him. Initially I thought it was wry neck, but now he seems to be holding his head up and not tumbling over backwards. Now I think he might have splayed feet or just be weak in general. The other three chicks are a Lavender Orp & 2 Swedish Flowers. They are twice his size if not more and eating/drinking/hopping on mom, etc. All he wants to do is stay underneath mama and chirps VERY loudly if left on his own or out in the open, non-stop. No attempts at eating or drinking or his own. I have removed him several times and given him a dropper with water, vitamin e, selenium and poly-visol mix. Have also gotten him to drink some water with electrolytes. He drinks when coaxed and seems to swallow fine.
My questions are:
How often do I need to be doing this and how much solution specifically should I be trying to get down each time?
Should I separate him from the mom and other babies (terrified he's going to get smashed/suffocated/picked on/etc) or just take and feed him and return him daily? I have a heat lamp/cage set up, but I've put him in there briefly and he seems very distressed. I don't want to make it worse & I also don't want the mom/other babies to think I'm the enemy.
Thanks so much for any help!
I'm calling him Sprout, poor little one
