Any suggestions for a subsitute sibling?

[AccidentalFarm]

Well, I woke up to find a baby Buff Orp hatched in the bator today. I had not held out much hope for this batch of eggs- candling showed only the one was definitely progressing, and 2 very slim chances at a maybe. One other egg is pipped, but not moving or chirping. These were shipped eggs and out of 12, only 3 were fertile.
So- if I end up with only one little peep- what can I do to keep it company? None of the feed stores in my area have chicks, nor will they be getting any more until next spring. Currently, the little peep has a stuffed animal in the brooder with it. Do lone chicks do okay?

 

[verthandi]

My last hatch had a solo chick...he is doing fine. I gave him a rice sock to cuddle up to for the first couple of days and a small pet bird mirror. He's now 6 weeks old and a happy, healthy camper.

 

[birdlover]

You can also put one of those real feather dusters in there. Surely there's some farms around that raise chickens??!! Over the past 4 years I've managed to find enough places nearby that I can always find a chick or two if need be. Ask your feed store if they know of any. Your little guy should be okay but I'm sure would be happier with a friend! JMHO

Ellen

 

[AccidentalFarm]

Well, luckily another chick just hatched, but unluckily, he has not absorbed the entirety of the yolk. Not sure what to do about that, but I hope he makes it.

 

[missusduray]

Sometimes you can manually ease it in. Sometimes if you leave it alone it will go in by itself. Glad to hear that your baby has a friend.

Kristyne

 

[birdlover]

Somewhere on here I read where you can put the chick in a plastic baggie with the head out, of course, and keep the chick in the incubator until the yolk is absorped. The baggie helps to keep the yolk from drying out. If the shell is still attached, don't, whatever you do, pull it off. And, if you don't want to try the baggie trick, just leave the little guy n the incubator. If he's healthy, he should absorp the yolk on his own. Good luck! I hope he makes it!!!!!

Ellen