I had 7 BEAUTIFUL Golden Laced Cochins hatch out on Saturday....
However, one of the babies was HUGE and had a hard hatch. I waited until it was pretty much dry and then I put it into my rubbermaid brooder.
I use shelf liner in there for the first few days, along with the heat lamp. The shelf liner is a little squishy, but has little holes in it and doesn't slip.
Anyway, I noticed this chick had weird legs--that almost stuck straight out on either side of it's body--like it's doing the splits?
I read in the McMurray catalog that's called "Spraddle" and it happens when heavy, meat birds are housed on paper?? It also said, "A spraddled chick is a dead chick." This chick was never on paper....
How else is this caused? Is it best to cull it now? My husband offered to dispose of it, but also suggested I give it more time. It is eating/drinking/pooping and lively....
And this morning, one of them (a "normal" one) was dead....which I understand happens...
Any/all advice would be appreciated....
However, one of the babies was HUGE and had a hard hatch. I waited until it was pretty much dry and then I put it into my rubbermaid brooder.
I use shelf liner in there for the first few days, along with the heat lamp. The shelf liner is a little squishy, but has little holes in it and doesn't slip.
Anyway, I noticed this chick had weird legs--that almost stuck straight out on either side of it's body--like it's doing the splits?
I read in the McMurray catalog that's called "Spraddle" and it happens when heavy, meat birds are housed on paper?? It also said, "A spraddled chick is a dead chick." This chick was never on paper....
How else is this caused? Is it best to cull it now? My husband offered to dispose of it, but also suggested I give it more time. It is eating/drinking/pooping and lively....
And this morning, one of them (a "normal" one) was dead....which I understand happens...
Any/all advice would be appreciated....