Urgent chick help required

[laura2806]

please help! I'm absolutely heartbroken. These chicks hatched yesterday and we're fine about an hour ago. One of our children has just found them like this. Is there anything we can do? The one is almost gone but the other night have some fight left.

I'm so desperate to help them. There is an older chick (4 days) who has been living with the hens and rooster absolutely trouble free. We don't even know who has done this to them.

Our neighbour would help but he's out and I'm heartbroken.

TIA

 

[kitkat5505]

Oh poor babies! Rinse with saline and put antibiotic ointment on the wounds (non-pain relief kind, and Vetericyn for eyes). Get some poultry vitamins/electrolytes like nutridench or save-a-chick (or you can search for homemade recipes on here). You can use a dropper to help them drink it.

 

[kitkat5505]

And keep them separated while they recover.

 

[laura2806]

Thank you so much! We have savlon or sudacream? Or aloe Vera gel?

These seemed pretty weak from hatching and we've lost a few from this batch during hatching so I don't quite know what's happened. Our rooster always charges at us but is so protective over his hens and young.

We were hoping to keep these young but that's all the eggs hatched out and maybe only one surviving chick of these don't make it They were sitting on 10 eggs

 

[laura2806]

We lost one as expected but the other made it through the night! Seems a bit stronger but both eyes are closed over. I'm using coconut oil to keep moisturised in the hope it'll ease open through the day. She's drinking from a dropper and searching out bits of chick crumb. Glimmer of hope

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry for your loss.

Can you flush the eyes with saline or sterile water to help clear them of any blood/debris?
For the head wound, you can also use saline/sterile water to wash that out really well too.
Trim some of the fluff away so you can see the wounds better and apply a triple antibiotic ointment or use your savlon or sudacream on the head wounds. For eyes, you really need to use an ophthalmic ointment/cream if you have one available-but you might find that by flushing with the saline/sterile water that may be enough.

It's good that she is trying to drink and find food - getting her hydrated is important so keep that up. You can also make your chick crumb into a "porridge" - add a little water to make it into a mash - chicks love wet feed.
I hope she continues to improve, keep us posted.

 

[laura2806]

Thank you for your help and advice!

She seems a little weaker this afternoon, very sleepy but is moving around a bit more, I've tucked her up for a sleep so once she's back awake I'll give it another clean and more cream on.

Her eyes are both closed and we're concerned about quality of life if they don't heal. Will she have one? Will she survive? Is she in pain?

Also we're now sure that part of her skull is exposed, will it heal over?

Just so many questions and uncertainties

 

[andreanar]

Do a search for scalped chick.....There is some good info on there and her baby made a recovery.

 

[laura2806]

Thank you, just had a read through so will follow the tips!

So now I'm less worried about the scalping but I'm still worried about the eyes! Anyone had experience with closed over eyes?

She's eating chick mash (as advised above!) and peeps constantly whilst awake, tries to snuggle her friend and they curl up in a hat the sleep. She's sleeping lots but I guess she's exhausted!

This morning I didn't have much hope for her, but now I do! I just want her eyes to heal ok!

Oooo anyone know if blu-koat is available in U.K.? Gonna go google it! Xx

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Are you providing some type of heat source for her?
I'm glad she is eating
Peeping, she may be trying to communicate with her friend or she is unhappy about something.
What do the eyes look like after flushing/cleaning them up?