Chick help!

[Rudies Roost]

Just after some help...new to BYC...my beautiful Partridge Laced Wyandotte has today hatched a little chick. My cockerel is a Rhode Island Red. I was wondering if anyone knew what this little one might turn out like and any advice on sexing would be appreciated. She has another half dozen or so eggs under her..do I leave her with them or shall I assume they're no good? Any advice gratefully received!

 

[nchls school]

Just after some help...new to BYC...my beautiful Partridge Laced Wyandotte has today hatched a little chick. My cockerel is a Rhode Island Red. I was wondering if anyone knew what this little one might turn out like and any advice on sexing would be appreciated. She has another half dozen or so eggs under her..do I leave her with them or shall I assume they're no good? Any advice gratefully received!

Unless it's possible that the eggs have a different hatching time I let the hen decide when to leave the nest; a quick look at the eggs will tell you if more are pipped in which case I put the first chicks under a heat lamp until I'm sure that any egg that is going to hatch has and then I return the first chicks to the hen. When chicks are removed the hen will go back to brooding the eggs.

 

[Rudies Roost]

Thanks. I'll have a check later if she'll let me near her (fiesty mare!). Chick #1 made it through the night and seems to enjoy nibbling at the chick crumbs so fingers crossed, all will be well. I'm interested to know how it'll turn out, RIR x Partridge Wyandotte. ...will it make for an interesting mix or a poor one???!

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,

Leave the chick with the mama hen. I had this happen She will take care of it whie she finishes hatching the other eggs. One thing tho. Take the feed and water ( she can eat chick feed just fine) and place it within the reach of the hen while she is still sitting o the nest. Just small containers you can refill every day. She will thank you for it!
What my mama hen did was as soon as I did this, she called the chick over to her while she was sitting the nest. She ate a bit and clucked to the chick, "see? this is good!". Then took a drink of water and clucked again, "see? this is good too!". The chick followed her lead and ate and drank. It was very endearing. All while she still sat the nest. If those other eggs are at the end of their developing she will not want to leave the nest. Having the water and feed right next to her will be very welcome indeed. I put Poultry Nutri-Drench in my water for my chicks for the 1st 2-3 weeks . It would be good to do that here. Good for the chick and good for the hen who is locked down on that nest in this hot weather. It doesn't need digesting. Mainlines directly into the bloodstream, measurable in 30 minutes with 99% utilization. Great for giving energy. Been using it on my collies and poultry for over a decade. Wonder nutritional supplement, all natural. http://www.nutridrench.com.
Poultry instructions: When the chicks hatch give them each one drop by mouth. If needed for stress, or weakness, repeat every 1 drop by mouth every 8-10 hours until they get right and going on their own ; then 2ml per gallon of water for the 1st 2-3 weeks. My Nutri-Drench solution looks like very weak tea.
I get mine at tractor Supply for a low, low price. Get the smallest bottle, it is concentrated. if they are out of the Poultry, you can use the Goat Nutri-Drench. Just use the poultry usage instructions above. Tho the Bovidr Labs formulas are species-specific, they also meet the scientific standard for a universal formula. Last season I raised 42 Light Sussex on the Goat formula with the poultry usage instructions. Great success, no sickness, no deaths, robust chicks. It's all about giving the babies nutrition which is easily assessable to their young body systems so the immune system can stay strong.
Best Success ,

Karen

 

[Rudies Roost]

Thanks for all the advice Karen. I'm in the UK so I'll endeavour to find a supplier of the Nutri Drench. Mama hen is doing a grand job with baby...no sign of any of the other eggs doing much yet but I'm going to leave her to it as she seems to be coping so well. I've done as you said with the food and water and she is indeed clucking away showing chick what to do. I've had them out on the grass for short periods too and she exhibits the same behaviour showing baby how to forage. So far, this has been a super experience, I'd recommend it to anyone!