Squishy newborn?

[AtlantisPeeps]

This chick just popped the top. It has a large and squishy head. It's right foot also seems odd. Is it premature? It's still attached to the egg. I don't want to detach it if it's not fully developed. It's on day 22. It's peeping and will sometimes open its eyes. Also the cut you see on its nose was from the broody it was under. The broody heard it peep and viciously attacked it.

 

[AtlantisPeeps]

Anyone?

 

[kuchchicks]

Is the chick out of the shell? I would worry about it getting "glued" in when the membrane dries. I don't know about the squishy head but my Polish are born that way.

 

[AthenasOwl]

Poor little chick! How is it doing? I just noticed your post. What I would do is put a wet cotton ball on the yolk sac area so it doesn't dry out, and put it under a lamp or some way to keep it warm and let it dry on it's own safely.

I have been having trouble with mean first time Mom's too...Not happy about dealing with them either as they are vicious to everyone, even the chicks.

((((((Hugs))))))))

This isn't easy..exciting, but not easy because you know that not all will make it.

Colette

 

[WalnutHill]

I have had a few hatch with the swollen head. A couple pulled through just fine, but most just faded out and died within a couple of days of hatch with apparent neurological issues...like lack of motor control in the neck, or total lack of coordination, or failing to ever eat or drink.

This may be a manifestation of an illness in the hen, as other chicks in the hatch hatched with no issues.

 

[AtlantisPeeps]

Update: the chickie died.... Sad poor baby had a rough start and probably wasn't strong enough to recover... Thank you all for your help. I Know I'll need it in the future!

 

[AthenasOwl]

I am so very sorry to hear this! I know it sucks..I had one die this morning too...only thing was, I was not around to see what was happening and my 14 year old (he LOVES his "clown horns"..the hens sound like clown horns, which is why he named them this) had to take control and decide what should be done, so the little one didn't suffer. We had 2 more hatch since then, and they are nice and healthy, under the momma hen. It is never easy to lose a baby, and you feel like you should have done more or what you could have done differently so it wouldn't happen. I have lost sleep over it and stewed, and I think I always will..this said, it is also part of life. Some make it and some don't, which is why they lay so many eggs, because they know chances are that some will be lost.

Still, it sucks.

((((((Hugs)))))))
Colette