very odd chick behavior

[ChickNanny13]

Here is my BIG question: should I cull this chick...is this genetic? I have been treating it, but its very spastic...has never even stood up. (it is only less than a day old) If its a roo--no breeding---if its a hen, no babies (I usually raise chicks from my own fertile eggs)...would the eggs be "less nutritious than others?" I just question keeping the chick in my flock...If I wouldn't keep it, I'm not selling/giving it to someone else either. Just feeling conflicted over what "should" be done. thx

In your case, think culling would be your answer, unless you have a change of heart & give it to someone that has the time to work with it. There are times we raising animals have no other alternative but to cull, it's the hard part of raising

 

[MommaHen2Many]

little one is still with us...I told this kids this has to be named "topsy turvey" or "ceasar the great". for the first time today, I saw it 'sit' like a little bird with feet under it. It is only about 30 hours old. Sleeping on my lap as type, I'm trying to get the meds down this little one. It did have its first poop today. not drinking on its own yet, still has lots of flip floppy moments, and seems to breathe harder than its siblings. I'm going to keep at it, and see how we do. just wanted to give an update.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Hi Had baby chicks start piping last night, and today they hatched. One BIG one, seems to have some problems. It was one of my largest eggs, but when this one zipped, it wasnt very organized, and when it came out of the shell it was like the neck/head couldnt straighten out it kept flipping on its back. I've had other babyies do the "turtle" thing, but this one never stayed on its belly while it dried out. Here are picts of it coming out of the shell. it was really packed in there.
View attachment 1070721 View attachment 1070724
It will throw its head to the left, and roll over on its back, kicking like crazy, it has yet to "stand", or balance like babies do using their little wings to help them stay upright.

I can hold it in my hand and it will still try to flip over, I have been trying to hold it to let it sleep. The other babies are picking on it when in the brooder.
View attachment 1070731
I have videos from my camera but the upload a file is not recognizing them. I will have to try and upload those in a few minutes.

Any ideas? thanks

You will have to upload the video to a medium such as YouTube or similar. I would segregate the chick from the rest until diagnosis is complete.
A number of things come into play. But abuse from others is obviously controllable.
FC

 

[MommaHen2Many]

Thanks farmer connie, yes this chick didnt go in the brooder with the others. I dont have any accounts on the video services, but I'm thinking about setting up a youtube so I can post this. The little guy is a bit better today. I was able to implement some of the things I learned about wry neck here at BYC. I guess only time will tell. thanx

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Thanks farmer connie, yes this chick didnt go in the brooder with the others. I dont have any accounts on the video services, but I'm thinking about setting up a youtube so I can post this. The little guy is a bit better today. I was able to implement some of the things I learned about wry neck here at BYC. I guess only time will tell. thanx

As far as YouTube, if you have a google account, you already have a YouTube account, they are combined now.
With the little buck-a-roo, the video will help some of the seasoned enthusiasts on this site diagnose the condition better.
The experience and compassion from some of the patch holders on BYC is truly amazing.
I am proud to be a member of such a wonderful site.
Keep up the nutrition and hydration and I am sure someone with a lot more experience and knowledge will come along a be able to assist you better.
Both of you hang in there!

FC

 

[MommaHen2Many]

thanks for the tip on google account linked to you tube. here is a vid from Sunday.the 9th. I will be taking another today of the little one and posting it too, a bit later. some improvement but not much.

 

[MommaHen2Many]

Ok here is the video from today. The chick calms down when wrapped and held in a hand---kind of like how it would have been in the shell. still undecided what to do. Have been medicating with chick vitamins, vit e, & selenium. It does not self feed so i am assisting it in drinking water, and feeding with a dropper.

 

[ChickNanny13]

little one is still with us...I told this kids this has to be named "topsy turvey" or "ceasar the great". for the first time today, I saw it 'sit' like a little bird with feet under it. It is only about 30 hours old. Sleeping on my lap as type, I'm trying to get the meds down this little one. It did have its first poop today. not drinking on its own yet, still has lots of flip floppy moments, and seems to breathe harder than its siblings. I'm going to keep at it, and see how we do. just wanted to give an update.

Glad to hear you're keeping it, they do grow on you Keep us updated

Oops just saw the videos you posted, so editing....You may want to make a sling that suspends with feet barely touching the ground, keeping it up right. Like a piece of cloth to cradle it, two holes for the feet sticking out & hang it so it barely touches the ground. May help keep its feet limber & the feel of being upright? Just a thought

it looks abit splayed, that maybe tricky with the sling, but there's an article showing step by step how to make a "splint" for splayed legs.

 

[MommaHen2Many]

sad to say I had to dispatch this chick cried a few tears... She was eating less & less, sleeping more & more, and behaving with almost "seziure" like actions when finishing the flipping about that she was doing. I couldnt add those genetics to the flock....still very HARD to do!

 

[ChickNanny13]

So very sorry for you having to do what you needed to