Urgent: Just Hatched Chick Struggling and Goop Hardening

[lilmillefleur]

Hope Chicken Surprise turns out okay!

 

[Redhead Rae]

Chicken Surprise survived the night. YAY! I had prepared myself to find it on its back, dead or dying, but CS seems to be even more lively than yesterday and has better balance.

 

[lilmillefleur]

yay!

 

[Redhead Rae]

Chicken Surprise is still thriving. It is the smallest of the 6 chicks that hatched, but it is getting more steady on its feet all the time. One thing that is a bit concerning is that CS's right foot seems to be slightly turned in. This causes CS to have a little hopping gait when running. It doesn't seem to be causing CS any problems at the moment. Is this just something to keep an eye on?

 

[casportpony]

Is it still pooping? Is the belly getting smaller?

 

[Redhead Rae]

Is it still pooping? Is the belly getting smaller?

Yes. I have to keep an eye out that the vent stays clear. I've had to wash CS and two other chicks once because of pasty butt. CS's back end is pretty messy, even with the bath. I just removed the poop and didn't want to mess with the umbilical stump.

 

[casportpony]

Yes. I have to keep an eye out that the vent stays clear. I've had to wash CS and two other chicks once because of pasty butt. CS's back end is pretty messy, even with the bath. I just removed the poop and didn't want to mess with the umbilical stump.

The belly still looks big to be, so keep an eye on it, though there's nothing you can do about it. By the time it's 10 days old the belly should be normal size. Large bellies can make their legs do strange things, so just keep your fingers crossed that CS digests the rest of it's yolk.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Chicken Surprise is still here and getting stronger every day. There is something wonky with one of its legs (left leg is weaker and turned in a bit) but it gets around just fine. I exercise CS a few times a day by making it perch on a finger. It seems to be helping. CS's digestion is working great because it poops every time I handle it. CS is starting to look like it has a New Hampshire for a Mommy because of the red in the wings.

CS is still pretty small though, compared to the hatch mates, but that's ok.

 

[lazy gardener]

Looks like you have 2 pullets among the BSL?

 

[Redhead Rae]

Yup. 2 pullets, 3 cockerels, and one Chicken Surprise.