Cackle banty pullets <3

[thecatumbrella]

Those pictures are too much!

I've got 8 bantams coming from Meyer next week, and I'm so nervous about the shipping. Would you mind elaborating on the TLC you provided for the weak chick? I'm trying to prepare myself as much as possible.

 

[yakitori]

Why can’t you keep them all?

I don’t have enough space in the coop, I have a second coop in progress but might be too busy to finish it on time. I’ll see how it goes, wish they were all oegb sized!

 

[yakitori]

Those pictures are too much!

I've got 8 bantams coming from Meyer next week, and I'm so nervous about the shipping. Would you mind elaborating on the TLC you provided for the weak chick? I'm trying to prepare myself as much as possible.

So for weak chicks, basically any chick that is still protesting loudly when it’s warm AND dark I always take out from the brooder and make sure they warm up really well on a heating mat. I have one of these and just fold it over them with a tea towel between, the direct heat against their bodies really warms them up. You can also warm them up with your own body heat, but not everyone’s got time for that, haha. Then I make sure they are fed nutrition on top of electrolytes. Electrolyte are great for perking them up, but feeding themselves still takes effort. I found for the particularly weak chicks especially need that extra boost of energy to make recover.
For this I add some egg yolk to electrolyte solution and feed via a small syringe. You only need to put a drop against their beak, and they should drink it. Go slow, make sure they have swallowed each drop properly before feeding the next. Too much and you might accidentally get it down their lungs.

When they’re ready to run around, I put them back with the rest but continue to hand feed until I see them eating ravenously on their own like healthy chicks should.

 

[Slothinc]

So cute!!!

 

[thecatumbrella]

So for weak chicks, basically any chick that is still protesting loudly when it’s warm AND dark I always take out from the brooder and make sure they warm up really well on a heating mat. I have one of these and just fold it over them with a tea towel between, the direct heat against their bodies really warms them up. You can also warm them up with your own body heat, but not everyone’s got time for that, haha. Then I make sure they are fed nutrition on top of electrolytes. Electrolyte are great for perking them up, but feeding themselves still takes effort. I found for the particularly weak chicks especially need that extra boost of energy to make recover.
For this I add some egg yolk to electrolyte solution and feed via a small syringe. You only need to put a drop against their beak, and they should drink it. Go slow, make sure they have swallowed each drop properly before feeding the next. Too much and you might accidentally get it down their lungs.

When they’re ready to run around, I put them back with the rest but continue to hand feed until I see them eating ravenously on their own like healthy chicks should.

Thank you! I have the electrolytes, but forgot the syringes . I'll look into the heating pad as well.

 

[Chicken Heel]

I had gotten the Cackle Hatchery Bantam Pullet package (15 + 2 free) back in 2018 and was well pleased with them in terms of health and hardiness. As of today, I still have 3 Barred Rocks, 2 Partridge Cochins, 2 OEGB Crele and 1 RIR. And speaking of Cackle Hatchery, I have a Cuckoo Maran and Buff Orpington that I got as day olds back in 2017 that are still laying which I find quite amazing.

 

[yakitori]

Thank you! I have the electrolytes, but forgot the syringes . I'll look into the heating pad as well.

i have the pet one because of my cats, but this one’s a little cheaper, and it’s what I use in the brooder. I use in the same way as mama brooder heaters, it’s suspended off the ground and They huddle underneath for heat.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Thank you! I have the electrolytes, but forgot the syringes . I'll look into the heating pad as well.

Many heating pads have an auto shut off feature. If using to heat chicks that doesn't work well at all.
You will have to search for one without an auto shut off.