All but ONE hatchling has died

[Atchurch]

I never get 100% hatched. This time, only 3 of 8 eggs hatched. Now, just a few days in, and the two weak ones have died. One last night and the other, the night before last. Now one is left. It's strong! But now it's crying, all the time. I pick it up and it calms down, but chirps incessantly after a couple of minutes. I feel so bad for the baby. What would y'all do for a lone survivor?

 

[Slw]

Do you have any broody hens that might take in a new baby?

 

[SnackMeat]

I set my phone in the brooder and play a chicks chirping video on YouTube that has chicks moving around.

I've done the mirror thing.

Obviously a heat mat or source of heat. A big stuffed animal it can burrow under.

I would reach out locally and see who might have chicks. Or hit the farm store. You were already planning on more so unless it's an issue of pure breeding later on (in which case you can likely sell off the chicken later) I would just get one or two chicks for it. Otherwise you will spend a *lot* more time with it and worrying over it.

I could see holding off if you had newborns in ten or less days, but any more than that and the cost/benefit analysis for myself has always been buying a chick. I try to put it off but then the lone chick wears me down/out so may as well skip ahead and buy a chick.

 

[Atchurch]

Kinda the things I was thinking. Mirror, new chicks, etc...it has a brooder plate that it can sleep under. I just feel so sorry for it. All alone. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Slw]

That’s the best idea yet.

 

[Atchurch]

Do you have any broody hens that might take in a new baby?

No. Not one of my girls have gone broody in three years. That's why my husband got me the incubator.

 

[urlocalcrazychickenlady]

@TheChickenGirl16

isn’t this what happened with Chippy?

 

[Atchurch]

@TheChickenGirl16

isn’t this what happened with Chippy?

???

 

[Slothinc]

Definitely buy some more very young chicks to be buddies with it. Feed store or local breeders.

 

[Atchurch]

The local places only sell them in early spring. None of our friends have any hatchlings. I only know 3 families and talk to them every week. None around us.