Chick Rescue

[JenS]

My neighbor called this afternoon because he found a chick wandering in his horse pasture. He thought it might be a runaway from my little flock. It wasn't mine, but looked like a commercial chicken maybe 6 weeks old. All white feathers with grey legs and a very pale yellow beak. The poor little thing was scared to death. We have no idea how it got here. There are no commercial chicken houses anywhere near our neighborhood. Anyway she was too big to go in the garage with my 2 1/2 week olds... so we gave her to another neighbor with a small backyard flock. Not the best fit as I know the bigger hens will probably pick on her... but I'm hoping the little gal will be ok. Any advice on how to help this poor little Tyson escapee?

 

[sumi]

I'd say put her with your chicks and see what happens. Chickens are not very aggressive while they are so young still, she'll probably be happy to have some baby company. Just check her over for lice, etc. Actually, dust her for mites before putting her with your chicks, just in case.

 

[JenS]

Thanks. I'll call our neighbor this morning to check on her. If she's not doing well I she can come stay with our chicks. We are starting on our coop today... better get building fast!

What do you use to dust for mites? DE, 7 Dust, or something else?

 

[sumi]

We don't get either of those where we live. I used karbadust, which is very effective. Only used it once and the bugs were gone. Never saw another one. Some members here were quite happy with food grade DE. Here's a link on it if you want to know more:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/food-grade-de-diatomaceous-earth

 

[JenS]

Got an update on the rescued chick. She is doing just fine in the neighbors' coop. She's roughly the same size and color of their silkie, so the big gals didn't single her out as too unusual. I love a happy ending.