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3 week old chick help! :)

post #1 of 6
8/8/12 at 4:06pm
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So I went out today and bought a little pekin. S/he is meant to be lemon, so we'll see. I keep calling her a she, so she it is.

She's 3 weeks old and they didn't have a heat lamp and I didn't know she would be so young buy once there felt obliged to buy one. So £10 and one chick later I'm walking down the road to meet my dad. I thought she'd be older and able to go in with my current hens. Now I'm not sure what to do. I have a cat carrier and a dog create she can go in but no heat lamp. She'll be staying in my room as its the warmest and has no drafts because dad ripped out all the ceiling and wall and reinsulated it all before replacing it. Ive chick crumb. And bedding but after that ramble the actual question; is there anything I really need? I did want to take two but if both end up boys, I can't keep them both and don't want to have to part with more chickens sad.png
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post #2 of 6
8/8/12 at 11:40pm

Chicks just need food, water and heat at first. They are happier in a group though. Your chick will be happier with a chick buddy or 2 to grow up with. If you buy sexed chicks there is a 90% chance you'll get a hen and some places will swop you if your chick turns out to be roo.

 

A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked ~ Bernard Meltzer

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A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked ~ Bernard Meltzer

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post #3 of 6
8/9/12 at 2:38pm
Thread Starter 
I went back to the place and bought another. And now I'm sulking like a child because 'it doesn't like me' keeps pecking my fingers/hands/wrists/arms and not in an 'oppsie mistaked that freckle for food' kind if way. More 'i don't like you and am an evil little chick' kind of way. These are my first chicks and honestly, my feelings are a little hurt that it doesn't just love me like the other one. Im scared it'll always do this now sad.png Or is it just confused because at 3 weeks old it doesn't hnderstand people pecking is wrong. Its probably confused. Yeah, I'm going with confused.
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post #4 of 6
8/9/12 at 2:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nikitaa View Post

I went back to the place and bought another. And now I'm sulking like a child because 'it doesn't like me' keeps pecking my fingers/hands/wrists/arms and not in an 'oppsie mistaked that freckle for food' kind if way. More 'i don't like you and am an evil little chick' kind of way. These are my first chicks and honestly, my feelings are a little hurt that it doesn't just love me like the other one. Im scared it'll always do this now sad.png Or is it just confused because at 3 weeks old it doesn't hnderstand people pecking is wrong. Its probably confused. Yeah, I'm going with confused.


Keep handling them, When they see you are not going to hurt them they will stop pecking. Don't introduce to older hens until they are at least 15 weeks old. Then they are strong/big enough to defend themselves. Just keep handling them, petting and talking softly to them.

Married to wife of 18yrs, 19yo and 17yo boys(One EOD in Army, other in HS), Australian Shepherd, Australian Cattle Dog mix, 2 dumb cats that hate each other(at least the fighting stopped), 29 chickens

 

Jesus is Lord, I am not!!!!

 

ASBC member

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Married to wife of 18yrs, 19yo and 17yo boys(One EOD in Army, other in HS), Australian Shepherd, Australian Cattle Dog mix, 2 dumb cats that hate each other(at least the fighting stopped), 29 chickens

 

Jesus is Lord, I am not!!!!

 

ASBC member

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post #5 of 6
8/9/12 at 4:10pm
Thread Starter 
Clearly I am easily offended and upset. I just want all my pets to love me smile.png I know pekins are so friendly because I already have 3 so he/she will turn out alright. Just, lttle cute fluffy chicks are meant to be nice. Not trying to eat me!!

And thank you for yor reply, I couldnt remember how old they should be when introduced to older birds. A lot of people have trouble and deaths when they introduced them younger I believe. Luckily I have two runs. But when can I start talking them outaide just for a little while at a time when the weather is nice?
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post #6 of 6
8/9/12 at 4:24pm
They can certainly enjoy outside now, they will love some sunshine and grass. My chicks go outside at a few days old. As long as they are protected from predators.
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