Watering/drinking help request for special needs chick

[saul1432]

We have a chick that is about 18 hours old...'he' was a surprise at 23 days, and I went against all my previous will power to not assist with hatching. He has one leg that is slightly gimpy but, seems to be slowly adapting. The most concerning problem is his neck...it's mostly stuck in a downward position. He's made some progress since last night, but it's still a significant issue. We've given him some sugar-water with a water dropper, and he is eating crumbles (yay!), but he cannot lift his head enough to get water on his own. I cut most of the top of a plastic cup, and added glass 'rocks' and water. We're watching closely to make sure that if he does get his head up and over the edge he doesn't get stuck there and drown. I will also continue to give him water via the dropper. However, my son brought up a good point, that is if he can't lift his head to swallow the water, then what(?)! Has anyone had a similar experience? What did you do? Is there a special waterer that might help?
Thank you in advance for your response(s).

 

[saul1432]

I just realized this is the 'new member forum', and will redirect this question to the more appropriate forum.

 

[Megan Amber]

I have actually been discussing close to the same issue with multiple others this last week. Sounds like your doing everything you should be. I have had late hatches like this and sometimes they live and sometimes they don't. Just continue with the sugar water and the stretches and excersie and let time show what will happen. Any more questions feel free to ask us!

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, saul123, and

! Good to have you here! Hope you find the information you need for your chick!

 

[saul1432]

Thank you. People have kindly already begun to respond. What a great site!

 

[TwoCrows]

from New Mexico!

Many times chicks like this do recover. Sometimes the neck gets a bit funky when it was in the wrong position in the egg. The feet can have issues as well. But over the next few weeks, they can gain enough strength to outgrow these problems. Keep up the good work and the love. Enjoy the forums!

 

[drumstick diva]

this may be wry neck - you can give him a couple drops of Polyvisol infant drops (no iron) twice a day - also do a search for wry neck - there should be tons of info on this, it does occur often even in older chicks.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!

Glad you joined us!!

 

[saul1432]

Thank you one and all. What a great community. I didn't know what it might be called, other than "crooked neck", when doing an internet search..."wry neck", now I know! Right now we're waiting it out, and I have to say he seems to be improving little by little. I posted photos on the emergency forum. I hope I will eventually post a photo of a totally healthy chick! Again, thank you.

 

[drumstick diva]

you could also try gently messaging his neck a few times a day - trying to encourage it to the right carriage.