Emergency

[edwin559]

One of my chicks hatched late and the mother hen abandoned it. What can I do to help it?

 

[RulingTheRoost]

Immediately bring the chick inside.

Make sure to put a heat lamp on for a heat source for your baby. You could either use a 250 watt red heat bulb, or a little less wattage while bulb, since there is no danger of cannibalism. That way, she/he won't freeze to death, since it's wintertime and cooler everywhere anyway. I'm assuming you might have a brooder from raising the chicks that grew into you mama bird, but if not, a cardboard box will do for now.

The yolk will sustain it for a few days, but after a few hours make sure to dip its beak in some water. Not too far-- you don't want to cover up its nostrils.

Tomorrow, put a bit of chick starter on a paper towel on it's brooder. Make sure it's up and walking by then.

Try not to handle it too much since he/she is brand new.

I hope this helps, and good luck with your baby chick!!

 

[RulingTheRoost]

Also-- I doubt the mother bird will take it back if she has already rejected it, so the best thing for it would be to treat it as you would a chicken hatched from an incubator.

I really hope this helps.