Brand new baby chick, when do I give food and water?

[getaclue]

It seems to come in 2 sizes = granules, and crumbles. In the picture they appear to be the same size crumble as regular chicken crumbles, but it could be a generic picture. I'd try it and see if the chick can eat it. They can eat normal crumbles, the same size you feed the hens.

 

[getaclue]

Let it sleep. It will find the water, and be fine.

 

[NewchickieLTJ]

Let it sleep. It will find the water, and be fine.

Ok. It’s passed out, and I’m leaving it alone. It’s been so long since I had a newborn in the house haha, I’ve got the new mom jitters just like I had with my kids. I keep going into see if it’s still breathing... I’m done now though, and going to bed. Hopefully baby is still doing well in the am!

 

[Shezadandy]

Do you have a feed store nearby that sells chicks? You might want to pick her up a friend- or check craigslist and see if anyone has newly hatched chicks for sale. It's a bummer you had to pull her from the hen.

 

[NewchickieLTJ]

Do you have a feed store nearby that sells chicks? You might want to pick her up a friend- or check craigslist and see if anyone has newly hatched chicks for sale. It's a bummer you had to pull her from the hen.

We do have a feed store nearby. I *should* have another egg hatch in a week or so, but maybe I should get her a buddy right away...especially just in case I end up not having another hatch? This is a silkie bantam chick, and I can tell is going to be smaller than the little guys at the feed store. Do you think they’d get along ok despite the size difference?

I know, I really wanted the hen to raise her own chicks. She neglected the last one though. She didn’t keep it warm, and it died. She’s sitting on 4 more eggs, and I think she may just be very focused on her eggs? I don’t know, but I couldn’t risk losing another one. I still feel guilty for not stepping in sooner with the other chick :/

 

[Shezadandy]

We do have a feed store nearby. I *should* have another egg hatch in a week or so, but maybe I should get her a buddy right away...especially just in case I end up not having another hatch? This is a silkie bantam chick, and I can tell is going to be smaller than the little guys at the feed store. Do you think they’d get along ok despite the size difference?

I know, I really wanted the hen to raise her own chicks. She neglected the last one though. She didn’t keep it warm, and it died. She’s sitting on 4 more eggs, and I think she may just be very focused on her eggs? I don’t know, but I couldn’t risk losing another one. I still feel guilty for not stepping in sooner with the other chick :/

It's a learning process- I had this happen with one of my hens - found her first hatchling, still wet- pushed out to the front of the nest, uncared for- I was lucky to get 4 live chicks after I took her eggs. Another- who had been super broody, glued to her nest - was picking chicks up and flinging them. UGH. Not all hens make good moms, unfortunately. Those have been the sad exceptions for me, most are quite good. Now all my broody hens come inside in a crate to hatch- I keep them close so I can hear and see what's going on.

If it's going to be a week I would absolutely find her a friend or two. That's a long time to be an only chick.

Bantams can get along with the bigger breeds, and sometimes you can find bantams at the feed store too- or look for a light breed like a Leghorn - Do check craigslist- you might find a right-sized chick friend for her that way. The closer in age you can find, the better.

 

[NewchickieLTJ]

It's a learning process- I had this happen with one of my hens - found her first hatchling, still wet- pushed out to the front of the nest, uncared for- I was lucky to get 4 live chicks after I took her eggs. Another- who had been super broody, glued to her nest - was picking chicks up and flinging them. UGH. Not all hens make good moms, unfortunately. Those have been the sad exceptions for me, most are quite good. Now all my broody hens come inside in a crate to hatch- I keep them close so I can hear and see what's going on.

If it's going to be a week I would absolutely find her a friend or two. That's a long time to be an only chick.

Bantams can get along with the bigger breeds, and sometimes you can find bantams at the feed store too- or look for a light breed like a Leghorn - Do check craigslist- you might find a right-sized chick friend for her that way. The closer in age you can find, the better.

Ok, thanks so much! I’ll call around to the local feed stores tomorrow, and see what chicks they have. You don’t think they could introduce a disease to mine, do you?

 

[Saaniya]

you have to put a small tray of food and water always avail to your baby chicks they eat time to time as they always hungry lil pigs lol
and it helps them growing

 

[Shezadandy]

Ok, thanks so much! I’ll call around to the local feed stores tomorrow, and see what chicks they have. You don’t think they could introduce a disease to mine, do you?

Knock on wood - I've not had any problems introducing feed store chicks. When I get sick of winding up with a bunch of cockerels from hatching my own eggs, I either order online or buy chicks from the feed store, and give them right to my broody that night after I let them eat, drink, and get a good sleep in - and have never had an issue. Usually they're separated from the main flock for a week or two depending on the weather.

Generally they've been vaccinated, and looking for the youngest/newest babies means less time they've been at the store. As with any new addition - check for nice clear eyes, nose, alert attitude, eating and drinking - and of course keep an eye out for pasty butt which can happen at any time no matter what you do!

Practice good biosecurity in the meantime when tending to your babies- wash your hands well in between being with new chicks vs. existing flock, especially while the new baby(ies) settle in, which is the most stressful time for them.

 

[getaclue]

Don't get a vaccinated chick. You're chick is not vaccinated. You don't mix vaccinated with unvaccinated.