Her toes might just still look curled as mine do before they get their "land legs" on them. I learned I have to wait until they are up walking around before I make that specific call.
Dipping beaks rarely works for me and actually have aspirated a couple chicks which always ends in death and crackly sounding lungs.
I do however drip a drop right below the nostrils while holding the chick in my hand, beak facing the bend of my forefinger to help capture and direct the drop. If I miss the beak I just dip it into that single drop and they usually gobble instinctually when it rolls around into their mouth.
Make your water into a simple electrolyte recipe... 2 cups warm water, 2 tablespoons BROWN sugar (it has micronutrients), 1/2 teaspoon each salt AND baking soda. Stir until dissolved and serve full strength. If you *happen* to have salt substitute, (potassium chloride) add 1/2 teaspoon to this mix.
Do not worry about getting that baby to eat. It will dehydrate before it starves. They can be VERY sleepy right after hatching. I would do a drip to the beak every 15-30 minutes until I saw improvement. But probably give at least 24 hours from hatch to get land legs... I haven't timed that part yet.
If your able to get any vitamins... liquid bird from the pet department, nutridrench (it also has amino acids) from the feed store, or baby vitamins with NO iron (ensuring it has B's, like Poly Vi Sol).. would be helpful to add to the water. For weak birds they get the drop directly to the beak. Sometimes more than once. Some people might crush human vitamins, but I have NO experience with that.
I'm one of those who is quick to cull since I breed. I just did for splay leg and will for bent toes in the future. But I have experienced your dilemma time and time again. It is a very difficult and personal choice!
I would skip the friend. She is more likely to be trampled then encouraged at this point, in my experience... and "friend" is often just mad to be separated from it's other flock mates.
Until she rests and gets some energy enough to pick up her head, your wasting time dropping feed. I always crush the crumbles a little extra, it does usually help. But once she gets there, those are great suggestions! Both to drop it in front and run your finger through it a little. Since it might not be able to move in or out of the heat, you will need to make sure it is regulated. Sometimes I find this easiest by sticking back in the bator where it's a constant temp.
Congrats on your other babies!
Hope this one is just a late bloomer and pulls through for you.
