Chick alone because the others died

[Stormy Wether Farm]

No that’s a really good idea thank you! I wasn’t sure if placing a stuffed animal was a bad idea or not bc I didn’t want it to like…eat it??? But I’ll try! I’m gonna see if my TS or anywhere has chicks so it can have a friend

Good! The toy I used was a small dog toy. Twice the size of the chick. Sorry about your TSC. Ours has a 4 chick minimum. Talk to the manager? I hope you are able to get help for your chick! I love Silkies. Had quite a few over the years.

 

[Lunes]

Until you can get another chick, you'll need to help this one feel less alone. People have said feather dusters or stuffed animals can help the chick feel less alone.

I did raise one lone chick, but I kept her with me constantly, as in under my shirt as I read on the couch, and on my lap driving for curbside pickup of groceries. At night, I made sure her brooder was in a dark place, and I didn't let light in until the morning when I was up and ready to be a chicken mom again. She got a friend when she was about 4 weeks old, and they still managed to become friendly with each other.

You can try electrolytes for yours now to help combat stress, but the best thing for her is a friend.

What is your setup like? Chicks can die from shipping stress, but the brooder is also important. What feed do you have, and which waterer? Does the chick have a cooler place to go in the brooder?

Here is my setup! It’s in my studio which has a mini split ac unit and I have had the heat on about 80 degrees (it’s been 40 ish this week) so it’s comfortable in there besides also having the heat plate. I tried to angle the plate so they could go where they wanted more or less heat. They haven’t been panting or anything like that, and silent under the plate which I think meant they were comfortable. So I don’t think it was the temps, and they had fresh water w/ save a chick electrolytes and organic starter crumbles. Maybe I should have started with medicated….I don’t know

I will see if I have any extra small dog toys I can put in there. Does the colour matter? Do I need to put it in the laundry before I put it in there? My dog is a Pomeranian and she’s got tons of bark box toys that are smaller that I could stick in there but none of them are totally untouched by her, not sure if that matters or not!


I’m hoping my seller replies today or tomorrow because TS only has chicks in sets of 10 and they’re way bigger chickens than I wanted, too. So I don’t think that’s an option

 

[fluffycrow]


Here is my setup! It’s in my studio which has a mini split ac unit and I have had the heat on about 80 degrees (it’s been 40 ish this week) so it’s comfortable in there besides also having the heat plate. I tried to angle the plate so they could go where they wanted more or less heat. They haven’t been panting or anything like that, and silent under the plate which I think meant they were comfortable. So I don’t think it was the temps, and they had fresh water w/ save a chick electrolytes and organic starter crumbles. Maybe I should have started with medicated….I don’t know 



I will see if I have any extra small dog toys I can put in there. Does the colour matter? Do I need to put it in the laundry before I put it in there? My dog is a Pomeranian and she’s got tons of bark box toys that are smaller that I could stick in there but none of them are totally untouched by her, not sure if that matters or not!





I’m hoping my seller replies today or tomorrow because TS only has chicks in sets of 10 and they’re way bigger chickens than I wanted, too. So I don’t think that’s an option



Brooding different sized chicks shouldn't be a problem

 

[RubelliteRose]

Did you check TS's minimum online or did you call your store? The online minimum is 10, but usually stores will sell fewer

 

[Lunes]

Did you check TS's minimum online or did you call your store? The online minimum is 10, but usually stores will sell fewer

Oop! I just checked online. What do I do with it once it’s grown up though? Do you think it’s dumb to wait for new chicks to get shipped to me this week and use a toy until then? I just do not want other breeds (especially nothing bigger which is really all they have) since my coop and everything is so small. And when I get my new silkie chicks reshipped they might get trampled by the bigger one I got from TS ?

 

[fluffycrow]

Oop! I just checked online. What do I do with it once it’s grown up though? Do you think it’s dumb to wait for new chicks to get shipped to me this week and use a toy until then? I just do not want other breeds (especially nothing bigger which is really all they have) since my coop and everything is so small. And when I get my new silkie chicks reshipped they might get trampled by the bigger one I got from TS ?

Depends on how small we're talking! Your existing chick should really get company as soon as possible, and brooding different sized birds isn't too much of a problem

 

[AntiqueB]

Love your setup!

I did have 2 very different ages, one hatched on 4/20 and the other on 6/15. I kept the baby in a clear tote, and the older one outside but able to see in for the first 1-2 weeks. Then I started putting the older one in to sleep with the baby. The older one thought I was crazy, but the baby snuggled right up.

Definitely wash the toy first! They also like videos of chickens. I used a tablet to show videos when I had to leave the younger one alone.

 

[Yardmom]

No need to keep the room at 80 degrees. Your brooder plate will provide the warm spot. The chick should have a cooler spot also. It may actually be to warm in the tote. If it is not now it will be soon. Some including my self have chicks where it is below freezing away from the heat source.

 

[RubelliteRose]

Oop! I just checked online. What do I do with it once it’s grown up though? Do you think it’s dumb to wait for new chicks to get shipped to me this week and use a toy until then? I just do not want other breeds (especially nothing bigger which is really all they have) since my coop and everything is so small. And when I get my new silkie chicks reshipped they might get trampled by the bigger one I got from TS ?

I would call the store. Our store regularly has bantam chicks. Not sure if they are silkies though. As far as different sizes, I have a silver leghorn who is almost bantam sized - she is only 3 1/2 pounds full grown. She has never had any issues with our larger hens

 

[Lunes]

No need to keep the room at 80 degrees. Your brooder plate will provide the warm spot. The chick should have a cooler spot also. It may actually be too warm in the tote. If it is not now it will be soon. Some including my self have chicks where it is below freezing away from the heat source.

Ah thank you I lowered it to a cooler temp !