Week old chick refusing to eat or drink, can't balance properly?

[Megalodon]

Hi everyone,

Have a one-week-old Barred Rock chick who absolutely refuses to eat or drink. At first, he absolutely would not eat unless I hand fed him by gently opening his mouth but has now learned to peck at the food in the bowl and eat it. But he will only peck if I gently push his head down. I have to give him water in a syringe, and he drinks fine, just refuses to do it himself? He hatched all by himself, no assistance, and slept for about 3 days. His sister hatched about 12 hours after him, and is perfectly healthy, though she did need some assistance. He is extremely small, about 38g. He has not gained any weight since birth, and that is extremely concerning. His sister is now 52g, and his feathers are quite small and underdeveloped. He can't walk properly, like he will stumble and step and peck on his own toes. He will sometimes stumble backwards and fall over. No signs of pasty butt or mushy chick. His sister will come absolutely sprinting when called, but he will just look lost and cry loudly.

Parents think I should cull, and I personally have no idea how I have kept him alive for an entire week. He has no will and no way to survive on his own, really.

Any ideas on what I can do or the problem perhaps?

Thanks

 

[Megalodon]

I should also mention that he has no injuries that I can physically see, and he lives in a ahoe box with paper towels on the bottom. We have ordered a brooder which will be arriving next week. The box is fully breathable and temperature is about 30-31 degrees celcius. During the first 6 days, the temperature was about 35 degrees celsius.

 

[Megalodon]

Oh and he constantly pecks at the air for some reason.

 

[Buffy Brahma Mama]

How is your chick and what are you feeding him?

 

[Lizzy733]

It could be neurological or developmental issues. Just because they hatch and look okay outside, doesn't mean everything developed correctly inside.

What are the details of the hatch? Was it under a broody, incubator? We're there other eggs that were set that failed to make it to hatch?

 

[Megalodon]

It could be neurological or developmental issues. Just because they hatch and look okay outside, doesn't mean everything developed correctly inside.

What are the details of the hatch? Was it under a broody, incubator? We're there other eggs that were set that failed to make it to hatch?

He hatched in an incubator and took about 13 hours from first peck to when he was fully out. We had about 13 eggs to start with, 8 silkie eggs and 5 barred rocks. All the silkies died, and only 4 barred rocks were alive when we candled them on day 18. During hatching, only 2 barred rocks hatched, the rest of them suffocated. I'm thinking it may have to do with where we got the eggs from, perhaps because of the hens that laid the eggs? He's eating regular chick started crumble, same as his sister. He has gained 1g since birth, he will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. His sister is not about 61g.

His walking is getting faster though, perhaps an improvement?

Thanks for all your replies!

 

[AfiafiAfi]

He hatched in an incubator and took about 13 hours from first peck to when he was fully out. We had about 13 eggs to start with, 8 silkie eggs and 5 barred rocks. All the silkies died, and only 4 barred rocks were alive when we candled them on day 18. During hatching, only 2 barred rocks hatched, the rest of them suffocated. I'm thinking it may have to do with where we got the eggs from, perhaps because of the hens that laid the eggs? He's eating regular chick started crumble, same as his sister. He has gained 1g since birth, he will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. His sister is not about 61g.

His walking is getting faster though, perhaps an improvement?

Thanks for all your replies!

 

[AfiafiAfi]

He hatched in an incubator and took about 13 hours from first peck to when he was fully out. We had about 13 eggs to start with, 8 silkie eggs and 5 barred rocks. All the silkies died, and only 4 barred rocks were alive when we candled them on day 18. During hatching, only 2 barred rocks hatched, the rest of them suffocated. I'm thinking it may have to do with where we got the eggs from, perhaps because of the hens that laid the eggs? He's eating regular chick started crumble, same as his sister. He has gained 1g since birth, he will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. His sister is not about 61g.

His walking is getting faster though, perhaps an improvement?

Thanks for all your replies!

But I don’t really understand how come 11 eggs suffocate or die?there must be an issue in the incubator space or temp or himidity not the hen.I’m still in this journey count me in!

 

[Megalodon]

But I don’t really understand how come 11 eggs suffocate or die?there must be an issue in the incubator space or temp or himidity not the hen.I’m still in this journey count me in!

I'm not sure, the eggs we got were quite dirty and misshaped though. The lady we got them from has a lot of chickens, so I guess it makes sense that there would be some bacteria floating around. We got 12 more eggs from her to try again, and it's currently day 9. 3 are dead. Honestly, am I just that bad at incubating?????!

 

[Buffy Brahma Mama]

I'm not sure, the eggs we got were quite dirty and misshaped though. The lady we got them from has a lot of chickens, so I guess it makes sense that there would be some bacteria floating around. We got 12 more eggs from her to try again, and it's currently day 9. 3 are dead. Honestly, am I just that bad at incubating?????!

I would get some Emeraid Intensive care omnivore for the chick that isn't doing well. You can have a vet order it for you.

humidity was likely off in your brooder. Best not to incubate dirty eggs, unless they are all you have and you're trying to keep genes from one that passed in the flock.

Best wishes and I hope the little one recovers!