Bad shipment--need single chick advice

[SunsetChicks]

My new flock arrived in the mail yesterday (yay!) Three were DOA and a very ill chick died this morning (boo!) It was a postal service problem. A very tough night....tragic and sad, but it happens. The hatchery is sending a replacement shipment, but not for two weeks, which means I'll be a single chick parent until then. The lone survivor appears in great health, and I think she'll be fine. Questions:

1) What should I do differently for a single chick? I know chickens are social animals and I worry that one alone might have problems. The hachery suggested putting a mirror in the nursery, which I did, but she pecks at the image of herself constantly. I worry she'll get hurt!

2) Can I mix a [then] three-week old chick with four day-olds? Hatchery says OK but I'd value other thoughts.

 

[crankster76]

id take the mirror out. it will b fine without it. I would not put 4 day olds with 3 week olds because of the size difference. u could end up with some of the little ones hurt. just put a divider in the brooder and keep the heatlamp on the side for the smaller ones. the older one will not need as much heat as the others. everything should workout fine.

 

[felidaet]

You can also put a stuffed animal in the brooder. The baby chicks really like them. Be warned though that you will throw it away when the birds are done with the brooder. I have also heard that they like a feather buster in the brooder. Sort of a surgote mother.

 

[tweetysvoice]

Have you thought about running to a feed store and getting at least one chick to keep it company? That's what I would do.