What is wrong with my chick's wings?

[GlassKat]

Hey there, I recently picked up a batch of chickens from rural king (I already regret it). I got 4 Easter Eggers, 5 Black sex-link, and 4 Rustic Rocks.

Of the 4 Rustic Rocks, 1 died at about 2 days old (not sure why), and two of the remaining have some odd wing issue. One of these seems to be lethargic today. Any thoughts on what is wrong? What should I do? I can isolate the lethargic one, but should I also isolate the other one with a messed up wing?

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Since I originally posted, the lethargic chick as died Just moments after I moved her.

 

[Eggcessive]

They may be drooping due to weakness or shipping stress, or possibly injured. I would get some Poultry NutriDrench or electrolytes and begin dipping the chick’s beak into them as often as possible until well hydrated. Feed some wet chick crumbles or egg. Check for a pasted poopy butt that may need to be cleaned off. What is the temperature under your brooder light? Can they get to a cooler area?

 

[coach723]

The lethargy is something to be concerned about, the wing feathers sticking out are not. They often look wonky as the feathers come in, it usually resolves quickly as they get more feathers. Image below of one of mine at 5 days old (has some barred rock in it). At another week, it looks normal (don't have a picture then). When they are mostly fuzz those flight feathers are very prominent and look wonky. It's normal, more prominent in some chicks, or breeds, than in others.
I often give struggling chicks room temp to slightly warm water with a bit of raw egg yolk mixed in to help. If they won't drink when dippng the beak in, I hold them in my hand with their beak tip resting in the crease of my finger and I drip it down the crease one drop at a time. When it gets to the beak it seeps in and they swallow. It's slow, but it works. I give as much as they will take at a time.

 

[CabritaChicks]

Chick looks ill/ potential fracture, also: brooder may be too hot. ​

Egg is a fantastic suggestion, I would also add some crushed hardboiled egg shell after microwaving (calcium). If possible, hold the chick firmly, and get about 5 minutes of sunlight without overheating it (depending on your location). ​

The wing is composed of several sections, and the very tip (the end portion of the chicken wing) is particularly vulnerable to weakness or fractures if a chick experiences failure to thrive due to inadequate nutrition, poor genetics, or environmental stress. The 'manus' is the distal (furthest) part of the wing and includes the carpometacarpus and phalanges (finger-like bones). This section supports the primary flight feathers, which are crucial for flight in birds. The manus is equivalent to the hand in mammals and is responsible for fine wing control and feather movement.​

Insufficient levels of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D can lead to brittle bones, while improper incubation conditions or minor injuries may further contribute to structural weakness. Affected chicks may show drooping wings, difficulty extending the wing, or tenderness if a fracture occurs. Providing proper nutrition, maintaining stable environmental conditions, and handling chicks gently can help prevent these issues and promote healthy wing development.​

Homemade Chick Electrolyte Solution​

Ingredients:​

• 1 quart (4 cups) warm water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (uniodized preferred)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons sugar or honey
• Dash of fruit juice for vitamins
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon potassium chloride (salt substitute, like “NoSalt”) for extra electrolytes

• Do not use as their only water source for more than 24–48 hours.
• Fresh, clean water should always be available alongside electrolyte water.
• If chicks are severely weak and not drinking, you may need to administer small drops at the beak to encourage hydration.

Sorry about the bold function- not sure why it is doing that. So I broke it up by color? I think it was a setting on my computer. apologies.

 

[coach723]

I see nothing that suggests fracture.
Giving too much calcium to a chick this small could cause injury to internal organs. That's the reason starter and grower feeds do not contain the levels of calcium in layer feed, and why layer feed is not fed to growing chicks.
I would provide fluids and support, all as previously suggested, shipping stress is real, and some die from it. Some also fail to thrive.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree with coach 723. Giving extra calcium than what it in chick starter can lead to kidney disease or gout. They don’t need extra calcium until laying eggs.