hi all just hatched some chicks unfort only 2 hatched one died then the 3rd egg pipped but didnt hatch after 2 days so i helped it and let it do the last bit thats finally hatched yesterday and in brooder box with other chick only thing is that one seems abit weak at mo is it normal ive give it abit of sugary water but dont think its eating chick crum any ideas
chick help please
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valeriebutterley
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If it is dried and fluffed up, just give it time, put it gently to water, then to crumb, and see if it responds, they mostly do. If it is too weak, deformed,
or just plain ill, not a lot of hope. I have had the most unlikely hatchlings with time, care and patience grow on into the the most beautiful birds.
I have some Rhode Island Reds pipping at the moment, so I sort of know how you feel. All the best, hope it is OK.
or just plain ill, not a lot of hope. I have had the most unlikely hatchlings with time, care and patience grow on into the the most beautiful birds.
I have some Rhode Island Reds pipping at the moment, so I sort of know how you feel. All the best, hope it is OK.
Hen-Gen
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Because I have limited facilities for rearing chicks I only do one big hatch per year usually a mix of my own eggs and some bought in eBay eggs. More often than not my own eggs are crossbred and so have a degree of vigour that is perhaps lacking in pure breeds. For this reason the incidence of weakly or deformed chicks is low. However I hold the view that I will do nothing special to assist a chick that has problems hatching or that is weakly after hatching. The deformed are destroyed immediately the short coming is noticed.
The reason for this hard line approach is not a lack of compassion. It is more related to my belief that the weak only contribute to later problems if they survive. This may be expressed during the time they come into lay, during the first adult moult or if they enter the breeding flock. As Darwin said, it's a case of survival of the fittest! But everyone has to make their own choices at this time and I would most definitely not try to tell you what is right.
The reason for this hard line approach is not a lack of compassion. It is more related to my belief that the weak only contribute to later problems if they survive. This may be expressed during the time they come into lay, during the first adult moult or if they enter the breeding flock. As Darwin said, it's a case of survival of the fittest! But everyone has to make their own choices at this time and I would most definitely not try to tell you what is right.
Minorcafan
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I feel that a chick has to push itself out to ensure that its lungs are working right. Don't know how scientific this idea is. Got a small hatch hatching under a hen today. 3 out so far 
valeriebutterley
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Of my RIRs, so far 3 girls, 3 boys, 3 to go, only 1 egg is showing any interest in becoming a chick.
I only hoped for 2 so 3 is a bonus.
I only hoped for 2 so 3 is a bonus.
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It's not likely to recover the use of its legs on it own and may need some help if it's to ever walk properly. Are its legs splayed out to the side? If so, the link to an article on this thread might help you.
http://poultrykeeperforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6440
There is a critical period in the first few days when help may work for a chick that can't walk, but after this, the bones are set and it will always be lame.
http://poultrykeeperforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6440
There is a critical period in the first few days when help may work for a chick that can't walk, but after this, the bones are set and it will always be lame.