Darwin Update

[OkamiWolfee]

I incubated 3 eggs and unfortunately (but also fortunately) only one hatched, the others did not. I candelled one and it was unfortunately no longer viable, and the last one I wasn't sure so it's back in the incubator and I'm just giving it a little more time but I'm not optimistic as the air sac looks a bit wonky.

But, we got Darwin! He's a cutie. He's around 4 days old and doing good as far as I can tell, I left him in the incubator for 2 1/2 days and then moved him to his brooder box.

Because he's on his own and I don't have access to other chicks to buy and bring home, I have been spending a lot of time with him and I've put some stuffed toys in the brooder with him on the heat mat so he can cuddle up with them and hopefully feel less lonely. He is hopefully going to be going back to live on the farm with a flock that has lots of broody hens in a few weeks, so I'm really hoping a broody hen will adopt the little fella (no clue what sex he is yet, just assuming, I hope it's a hen).

He's eating and drinking just fine, and going from exploring the brooder, having a run around and then going back on the heat mat to sleep cuddled up to his stuffed toys.

Just wondering what kind of treats he can have? I heard lettuce is good for them and is a good bordem breaker for brooders? Is he too young for this yet or can I put some in for him?

 

[CrazyChicken Lady]

He is cute! What breed is he? I normally don’t treat mine a whole lot at 4 days but you could give it tiny chick grit, itty bitty pieces of lettuce, little leaves from herbs and safe plants, and most veggies as long as they are small and safe for chickens.

 

[rosemarythyme]

A mirror will provide a "companion" for him to look at. I wouldn't do any treats until he's older, and grit will need to be provided at that point.

I assume the farm he's going to knows how to handle integration - an older chick is unlikely to take to a broody, and a broody is unlikely to take on an older chick, so don't count on a hen doing the integration for you.

 

[OkamiWolfee]

A mirror will provide a "companion" for him to look at. I wouldn't do any treats until he's older, and grit will need to be provided at that point.

I assume the farm he's going to knows how to handle integration - an older chick is unlikely to take to a broody, and a broody is unlikely to take on an older chick, so don't count on a hen doing the integration for you.

The yard owner is very experienced with raising poultry, so she 100% will know what to do.

Thanks for the tip about the mirror, I'll deffo add one in!

 

[OkamiWolfee]

He is cute! What breed is he? I normally don’t treat mine a whole lot at 4 days but you could give it tiny chick grit, itty bitty pieces of lettuce, little leaves from herbs and safe plants, and most veggies as long as they are small and safe for chickens.

He's a silkie ^_^ <3 I'll get my hands on some chick grit! Been hearing about it, didn't know it was needed until now.

 

[Iluveggers]

He is so cute!

The best time for a broody to accept is the first few days. Do they have any broody hens now? Single integration might be rough on him. If you can get him under a late broody hen quick, you won’t be able to keep him much longer but at least he will have an instant family!

 

[NatJ]

Just wondering what kind of treats he can have? I heard lettuce is good for them and is a good bordem breaker for brooders? Is he too young for this yet or can I put some in for him?

He should mostly eat chick starter.

You can get a tiny bit of the chick starter wet with water, and let him eat it off your finger. Chicks often like that.

You could also give him a small amount of scrambled egg. Chicks usually like that too. But he really should be eating mostly chick starter at this point.

 

[OkamiWolfee]

He is so cute!

The best time for a broody to accept is the first few days. Do they have any broody hens now? Single integration might be rough on him. If you can get him under a late broody hen quick, you won’t be able to keep him much longer but at least he will have an instant family!

Yes, there's a broody hen sitting on eggs right now - gonna see if we can integrate him asap x

 

[OkamiWolfee]

UPDATE: Darwin has friends!!! A friend of mines friend had some hatch on Wednesday, so I went and picked up a couple goldline girls <3 He was a little shook, but they're now cuddled up together on the heat mat asleep, so I'm hoping they're gonna get along just fine! <3

Also, don't worry - I took the corn out! He didn't touch it anyway.