I stepped on my baby chick.

This is the worst day of my life. I stepped on my baby chick, Sunshine. I hatched her myself. I see her as my baby and she sees me as her momma hen. She comes when called, she’s so sweet and precious.

It was the most devastating thing. I set her in the grass to play, which is something I constantly monitor, but I turned around and took one step in the opposite direction to grab something, and she ran underneath my foot. It wasn't a full stomp; I picked my foot up immediately when I realized. It was more like a half step. But obviously that is more than her little body can take. Seeing her with labored breathing, struggling to stand or keep her eyes open, is the most painful thing I have ever experienced. She trusted me as her mother, which is why she ran under my foot in the first place, because she wants to be as close to me as possible. And I betrayed her. I don’t think that’s something I’ll ever be able to live down.

She is at the vet now, getting pain meds, fluid injection, and oxygen. I know most people wouldn’t do this for a baby chick but she is a pet, and I love her so much. I will be hearing back soon, and if she’s not improving, I’ll have to make the decision to put her down. If anyone has any advice, let me know.

Please be careful with your little ones, I never want any of you to feel the way I do right now. The attached video was taken about 10 minutes before the accident.