Chick was stuck in egg, now neck is weird

[Sara L]

I just hatched a batch of coturnix quail chicks and at least one of them got stuck in the egg. Two were fine once I helped get the shell off, but the third must have been like that for a while because it's neck is still twisted to the side like it's still in the egg. All chicks are now in the brooder, and the chick seems to be eating and drinking. Has anyone had this happen before and will the neck get straighter/more normal over time or is it going to be like this it's whole life?

 

[WVduckchick]

Congrats!
Could just be from being cramped, but could be wry neck or star gazing.

Nutridrench is my favorite for giving to chicks. Ones that seem a little slow, or tough hatches, or whatever may need an extra vitamin boost.

 

[AZBootsie]

5 or 6 years ago, I was cleaning the duds out of my incubator at least 24 hours after the last egg hatched and heard a peep. This poor little chick had been stuck alive in her egg that whole time with just a tiny pip.The shell was dried and stuck to her. It took a lot of patience and warm water to get her loose. She was like a little ball, could only push 1 leg out to do this pathetic little hop & roll. We did a nutrition solution with sugar water, dripped it carefully on the side of her beak every few minutes through out the day. It seems like it took a long time...8 or 10 hours before she could walk around normally. But she did recover. Now she is an old lady, rarely lays but still likes to cuddle. I hope your chick recovers as well as my "miracle" did

 

[Sara L]

I bought Durvet Vitamins and Electrolytes for Poultry from Tractor Supply and put it in the water. I figure it wouldn't hurt to give it to all the chicks and I don't really have a setup for the wry neck chick to be by itself. No noticeable change yet, but wasn't expecting an overnight healing. I am thinking of calling the chick "Macaroni" or "Mac" for short, because the neck is turned so much it looks like a macaroni noodle.

 

[Sara L]

Chick doesn't seem to be any better, and since I had another chick not doing great - very lethargic, other chicks were walking over it - I figured out how to create a hospital cage. The cats are fascinated with the "chick tv", luckily I have a wire top on the container. I have noticed the chick now almost has his head completely upside-down at times. He is still able to eat and drink though.

 

[Sara L]

Other chick didn't make it, so had to grab another chick to be friends with the wry neck chick as it wouldn't stop shrieking. The wry neck chick seems to be having trouble, and keeps getting flipped on its side/back and not getting back up.

 

[Sara L]

Little "Macaroni" is still having trouble, head is pretty much upside down now. He is still able to eat & drink, so that is good, but I am not seeing any change in his ability to hold his head the right way up. He is also still getting stuck on his side/back, sometimes he is able to kick with his feet to get back upright and other times I have to push him upright once I realize he is stuck.

 

[Sammythepup]

Poor chick How is he now? Sorry I don't have any advice for you as I'm only just hatching eggs for the first time myself, But I'd like to hear if he gets better

 

[Sara L]

I think today "Macaroni" was a little better today. He seemed to spend a bit more time with head turned to the side rather than upside down. I am hoping the vitamins/electrolytes are working and the chick will heal in a few more days.

 

[Impatient]

I'd give it a chance to straighten out. I had a chick with really curled feet that straightened out on their own after a couple days. Honestly, I think it's probably just sprained from trying to hatch and getting stuck. They spend some time cramped up in egg before hatch anyways