Braveheart and I need your help.

[IceAngel]

Braveheart was one of the weaker chicks that needed help hatching last week. He was smaller than everyone else and he tottered on his stubby little legs and was often knocked down by the stampeding batch. I was going to let nature take its course but Braveheart had such a will to live. Each day this past week I found him outside of the heat lamp circle, clutching to life.

I put him in the incubator with next months batch to warm him up and he quickly recuperated. I need to know how many calories a little chick needs daily and how to get him to eat on his own. I am not sure I am feeding him enough.

He has access to food and water but doesn't eat on his own, however, he gobbles down the watered down cooked cream-of-wheat that I feed him with a syringe. I also feed him dried egg yolk. Each day I put him back with his flock for a while for exercise and companionship with the hope that he will start pecking at food like his siblings. Between feedings, I dip his beak into the water dish and into the scratch but he isn't getting the idea. At night I put him back in the incubator to keep warm till morning.

If he dies, he dies. But I need to know that I have done everything I can to help him because he certainly has the desire to live.

 

[bobbi-j]

Braveheart was one of the weaker chicks that needed help hatching last week. He was smaller than everyone else and he tottered on his stubby little legs and was often knocked down by the stampeding batch. I was going to let nature take its course but Braveheart had such a will to live. Each day this past week I found him outside of the heat lamp circle, clutching to life.

I put him in the incubator with next months batch to warm him up and he quickly recuperated. I need to know how many calories a little chick needs daily and how to get him to eat on his own. I am not sure I am feeding him enough.

He has access to food and water but doesn't eat on his own, however, he gobbles down the watered down cooked cream-of-wheat that I feed him with a syringe. I also feed him dried egg yolk. Each day I put him back with his flock for a while for exercise and companionship with the hope that he will start pecking at food like his siblings. Between feedings, I dip his beak into the water dish and into the scratch but he isn't getting the idea. At night I put him back in the incubator to keep warm till morning.

If he dies, he dies. But I need to know that I have done everything I can to help him because he certainly has the desire to live.

I think you are going above and beyond for this little chick, and he's lucky to have you.

 

[adstowe]

I think you are certainly doing all you can for this little guy/girl. One thought though, you might try soaking some chick starter and feeding it in the same way you are doing with the cream of wheat. It's more likely to have the protein and nutrients to support growth.

 

[ILuvMyFlock]

You're doing absolutely amazing! Try moistening some starter In water and try that. I'll pray for braveheart.

 

[aart]

Braveheart was one of the weaker chicks that needed help hatching last week. He was smaller than everyone else and he tottered on his stubby little legs and was often knocked down by the stampeding batch. I was going to let nature take its course but Braveheart had such a will to live. Each day this past week I found him outside of the heat lamp circle, clutching to life.

I put him in the incubator with next months batch to warm him up and he quickly recuperated. I need to know how many calories a little chick needs daily and how to get him to eat on his own. I am not sure I am feeding him enough.

He has access to food and water but doesn't eat on his own, however, he gobbles down the watered down cooked cream-of-wheat that I feed him with a syringe. I also feed him dried egg yolk. Each day I put him back with his flock for a while for exercise and companionship with the hope that he will start pecking at food like his siblings. Between feedings, I dip his beak into the water dish and into the scratch but he isn't getting the idea. At night I put him back in the incubator to keep warm till morning.

If he dies, he dies. But I need to know that I have done everything I can to help him because he certainly has the desire to live.

Scratch? or chick starter??
They need starter 18-22% protein.

Might do well to dribble a bit of ChikSaver at the side of it's beak too.
Is it pooping properly?

 

[keesmom]

I'd add some poultry Nutri-Drench too.

 

[IceAngel]

Thank you all for the kind sentiments and advice.....and yes he is pooping well. I know this doting care may seem silly to some but this little chick has tried so hard to live and as long as he tries I have to help him. I will try the soaked chick starter for todays feedings. The reason I chose cream of wheat was because it goes mushy enough to flow through the syringe easily. He is getting a fair bit of protein from the dried egg yolk. I always dry my chopped eggs for new chicks otherwise they trample them into a paste. The dried egg yolks drop down Bravehearts throat nicely. He seems to be getting stronger but he is so much smaller than his siblings he still gets bowled over a lot. I don't think I am feeding him enough but I also don't want to overstuff him.
He spent most of today with his flock but I have never observed him eating or drinking on his own. I am hoping the new batch which will hatch in two weeks will teach him a thing or two. Thanks again, I will try to post a picture of him.