I posted this two days ago, and only got one response, so I'm re-posting because I'm still having a problem with this chick. Hope that is ok
I have a silkie chick that seems... slow. It hatched out Saturday morning. I have dipped it's beak into the water dish, but since then it doesn't seem to be drinking. I've watched it go over to the waterer a few times and dip it's beak down, then lift it's head up like it's taking a drinking, but is not dipping down all the way to the water level. It will also sit and watch the others eat, then try to eat the shavings a few inches from the feeder. It shakes it's head and spits it out, then watches the other chicks eat, then tries to eat the shavings... It's like it knows they're eating, and can't figure out that what they are eating is different from what is on the ground. I've tried dipping his beak into the food, but he still won't peck at it on his own. It looks like he's imitating normal behavior, without understanding it.
He also has fallen asleep standing up, several times, and doesn't wake up when his beak hits the ground. He just stands there, asleep, balancing on his face.
He's the most docile of the group, and doesn't seem to have a fear reaction. I'd consider this cute under normal circumstances, but I'm thinking it's another indicator of his mental capacity.
Any idea on what I can do for him? Or just wait, and hope he figures it out?
Since then I have tried hand feed the chick a little bit of feed mixed with warm water, and it will eat that. I've also given him water with an eye dropper. He's still not eat or drinking on his own, that I have observed,(it's like he can't figure out where it is unless I show him) and I don't want to have to do those things for him forever!
I have a silkie chick that seems... slow. It hatched out Saturday morning. I have dipped it's beak into the water dish, but since then it doesn't seem to be drinking. I've watched it go over to the waterer a few times and dip it's beak down, then lift it's head up like it's taking a drinking, but is not dipping down all the way to the water level. It will also sit and watch the others eat, then try to eat the shavings a few inches from the feeder. It shakes it's head and spits it out, then watches the other chicks eat, then tries to eat the shavings... It's like it knows they're eating, and can't figure out that what they are eating is different from what is on the ground. I've tried dipping his beak into the food, but he still won't peck at it on his own. It looks like he's imitating normal behavior, without understanding it.
He also has fallen asleep standing up, several times, and doesn't wake up when his beak hits the ground. He just stands there, asleep, balancing on his face.
He's the most docile of the group, and doesn't seem to have a fear reaction. I'd consider this cute under normal circumstances, but I'm thinking it's another indicator of his mental capacity.
Any idea on what I can do for him? Or just wait, and hope he figures it out?
Since then I have tried hand feed the chick a little bit of feed mixed with warm water, and it will eat that. I've also given him water with an eye dropper. He's still not eat or drinking on his own, that I have observed,(it's like he can't figure out where it is unless I show him) and I don't want to have to do those things for him forever!