What’s wrong with her?

[ajaba5]

Hi All,
We recently hatched a set of eggs. One chick took a long time to unzip and looks like she has some serious problems. One eye is missing, her skull looks a little misshapen, and her entire body structure just looks….off. See the picture. She drinks water but we haven’t seen her eat. Any ideas what the issue is? We realize that if she doesn’t eat soon she’ll pass away although she does seem to be getting stronger. It took her a long time to walk, then she could take a few steps before falling, she’s slowly seems to be getting stronger.

 

[EChicky]

Hmm. Is she comfortable with you or at least ok with your presence? If so, try scratching gently at the food. That always encourages my chicks to eat. Also maybe provide her with egg yolks, mine like them hardboiled, but make sure the other ones don't steal them. If she eats and drinks normally she can probably make it fine. I know a chicken with one eye and she is an absolute angel.

 

[nuthatched]

If she's misshapen, I would put her down, deformities like that get worse as time progresses. I'm sorry.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

My gut tells me she has too many handicaps to survive, but I find myself rooting for her because she obviously has a fighting spirit. If she is drinking but not eating, she needs nutrition in liquid form asap. There are various baby parrot formulas sold online and at pet stores, where you mix the formula powder into water. Nutridrench could also provide her nutrients and energy. At the least, mix a lot of water into her chick feed and see if she can eat the mash. How many days ago did she hatch?

 

[ajaba5]

My gut tells me she has too many handicaps to survive, but I find myself rooting for her because she obviously has a fighting spirit. If she is drinking but not eating, she needs nutrition in liquid form asap. There are various baby parrot formulas sold online and at pet stores, where you mix the formula powder into water. Nutridrench could also provide her nutrients and energy. At the least, mix a lot of water into her chick feed and see if she can eat the mash. How many days ago did she hatch?

She hatched on Wednesday. We feel the same way. I'm torn between doing the "humane" thing and putting her down and seeing if she can pull through. We'll get her some of that formula tomorrow! Thanks for the advice.

 

[Red Mangrove]

If she's misshapen, I would put her down, deformities like that get worse as time progresses. I'm sorry.

True compassion

 

[EChicky]

Good luck! I know we all are crossing our fingers and hoping for her.

 

[ajaba5]

It’s probably no surprise but the little guy passed a few days ago. We tried the parrot formula but he didn’t show any interest in it, so we decided not to push it and just let him go. Thank you all for your advice!

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I'm sorry the chick didn't make it, but not surprised. You could see it was missing an eye, but with its misshapen body, there was no telling what was missing inside. Still, it had a warrior spirit, and I too would have given it a chance to survive. RIP little chick.