So, long story short, I hatched a batch of chicks a with the temp a degree or two low. They hatched about 2 days late but were healthy. I rehomed all of them but then found that one more had hatched while I was gone. "She" came out of the incubator in the evening about 12 hours after the others weak and tired. I assume because she worked hard to get out and her yolk supply had run out.
It's been 24 hours since we pulled her out and she is stronger but still sleepy. The first evening and night I fed her raw egg yolk (from my chickens). I've been feeding her wet chick feed since this morning.
I'm not set up to tube feed her. It's just not an option for me. I've been gently forcing her to "sip it up" from a spoon and I dip her beak in the water to make her drink. I can't convince her to eat or drink on her own. She just has no interest. It takes a long time and I don't think she gets enough. She is small, sleepy. and a little clumsy (probably because she hasn't had enough food) but seems otherwise healthy so I don't feel that it is right to cull her.
I would rather not have to get another chick to keep her company. I plan to rehome her as soon as she starts taking care of herself. But would another chick's example teach her how to eat and drink on her own?
Besides tube feeding, is there a better way to feed her? How can I get her to start eating on her own? Advice?
It's been 24 hours since we pulled her out and she is stronger but still sleepy. The first evening and night I fed her raw egg yolk (from my chickens). I've been feeding her wet chick feed since this morning.
I'm not set up to tube feed her. It's just not an option for me. I've been gently forcing her to "sip it up" from a spoon and I dip her beak in the water to make her drink. I can't convince her to eat or drink on her own. She just has no interest. It takes a long time and I don't think she gets enough. She is small, sleepy. and a little clumsy (probably because she hasn't had enough food) but seems otherwise healthy so I don't feel that it is right to cull her.
I would rather not have to get another chick to keep her company. I plan to rehome her as soon as she starts taking care of herself. But would another chick's example teach her how to eat and drink on her own?
Besides tube feeding, is there a better way to feed her? How can I get her to start eating on her own? Advice?
