weak chocolate orp chick

[trouble106]

Hi,

I have hatched a choc orp chick !! only one was fertile. it hatched on friday and was very weak, i have ben having to feed it by hand. it does seem to be getting a little stronger, however, it can't walk properly. it seems to be weaker on its right side and topples over, also it seems to screw up its toes and not stand properly.
has anyone seen this before.... should i continue with it or do the kind thing and take it to the vets....

 

[chrismahon]

Hi Trouble106. We had something very similar at our first attempt at hatching. Bought 6 muddy Buff Orpington eggs from P & T Poultry -big mistake! Two hatched, one was a crossbreed and the other poor little thing had 5 and 6 toes on its feet which were all curled up and wouldn't straighten. After a day it started to attack its own feet and we despatched it -extremely distressing. The cause, apart from chronic inbreeding stock, was a lack of vitamin B in the parents diet apparently. So the parents were kept on a patch of muddy soil and fed just layers pellets, no greens. Sorry to go on, but after 3 years it still haunts me.

Do the kind thing and take it to the vets immediately.

 

[trouble106]

Thank you. I have booked an appointment for later today..

 

[trouble106]

Hi, went to the vets.... who thought we ought to give our little choc orp 'Rolo' a little more time !!
glad we have, as she has started to walk with her toes straight and started to eat and drink !!
Am very happy... 08

 

[Aileen]

:lol: great news, keep us posted.
We all love a happy ending on this forum!

 

[chrismahon]

Fantastic news!!!! Maybe it just hatched a bit early -bit too eager to get into the big wide world. Like to see a picture.

 

[trouble106]

Hi this is Rolo !! Am pleased to say that 'she' is doing really well now. Would not have believed this time a week ago we thought we were going to loose her.

 

[NEWTODUCKS]

What a little poppet! I've got one-now 6 weeks old called "Revel" She's still quite small compared to the others I bought at the same time-they are not Bantams though, so no wonder! Revel is a very plucky little thing and stands up for herself with the others- a real character
Well done glad things turned out so well.

 

[chrismahon]

Lovely.