08/30/2026
Doing chicken chores this morning and checking on our newest coop hatch, I realized there was a 1 day old chick missing. Our only gray baby. I found it and sadly thought it was dead with rigor mortis already setting in. I found it belly down with legs behind it.
On my way to dispose of it, it lifted its head ever so slightly I thought I was imagining it, but I stopped and checked it over. It blinked and was slightly moving its head even though the rest of the body was stiff. Movements were very minimal and easy to miss though. I immediately stopped and cupped it into my hands. Slowly I was able to bring its temp up enough and move its legs back into the correct position. Realizing then it was hypothermic, I brought it in and wrapped it in a warm cloth towel. Then I placed it into our "icu-bator'. Happy to report after time warming up and some sugar water, it's chirping and walking around!
How it didn't end up under its mama last night, I'll never know. I'm also very anxious to give it back to its mama tonight.
