Found a Chick

[JNC]

We found this chick in the woods. Its head was tucked in but the next day it’s head was out. It follows us and chirps really loud if we aren’t around. It lays by us too. We don’t have chicken food. So we are just feeding it starch grains and some tortillas. But it eats grass and everything so do you think it can survive with no chick food? It’s been 4 days since we found it and the chick seems fine so idk. And I dunno if we can keep it especially if it’s a rooster because we are in the city limit.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Chicken feed's main ingredient is grains but that doesn't make it nearly enough nutrition for omnivores like chickens and they need to add lots of amino acids, minerals and vitamins to make it complete nutrition.
This is especially true for chicks. They need lots of protein to grow and develop an immune system. They won't get that from scratch grains, tortillas and grass.
I would feed it some hard boiled or scrambled eggs, fish, meat, meal worms, crickets, etc. till you get some chick starter feed. Some places will sell 5# bags.
At any rate, it is already stunted so I'd still give eggs and fish for a while even if you get feed.

 

[JNC]

Chicken feed's main ingredient is grains but that doesn't make it nearly enough nutrition for omnivores like chickens and they need to add lots of amino acids, minerals and vitamins to make it complete nutrition.
This is especially true for chicks. They need lots of protein to grow and develop an immune system. They won't get that from scratch grains, tortillas and grass.
I would feed it some hard boiled or scrambled eggs, fish, meat, meal worms, crickets, etc. till you get some chick starter feed. Some places will sell 5# bags.
At any rate, it is already stunted so I'd still give eggs and fish for a while even if you get feed.

Okay I can do that. I know I can find tons of worms and crickets outside so can I give the chick that? Or do I go to the store and get the dried out ones? I used to have ducks and I know that ducks eat a lot more than chickens so do you have any idea of how much to give it? And for how long should I wait till I give it chicken food?

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

It looks like a pullet so far. Any reason you can’t get a small bag of chick food?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Chickens are voracious eaters but won't overeat. Give it as much as it wants.
I wouldn't wait at all if you can get it some proper chick starter, grower or all flock feed.
Parasitic worms can be picked up from worms and crickets found outdoors which are secondary hosts for parasitic worms. They sell live mealworms at pet stores too.
I would start with eggs and some cheap canned fish like mackerel.

 

[Bluebird4]

Definitely get some proper feed! Some hard boiled or scrambled eggs will do ok till you can get something proper. Make sure to keep it warm until it has more feathers! Where are you keeping g it at night? What are your plans for the future? Chicks can get lonely.

 

[JNC]

Definitely get some proper feed! Some hard boiled or scrambled eggs will do ok till you can get something proper. Make sure to keep it warm until it has more feathers! Where are you keeping g it at night? What are your plans for the future? Chicks can get lonely.

At night we keep in in the coop our ducks used to be in. I’ll probably give it to a friend of mine that has chickens. It’s definitely warm it’s 70-80s outside and it can fly.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You might want to check around your neighborhood. It belonged to someone that lives very close to you. Chickens rarely venture far from home, especially as chicks.

 

[Brooks_]

Could have been dumped too. But still ask around.

 

[JNC]

How do I leave it outside without it chirping like crazy? If I’m out of sight it stands there looking around for me and chirping super loud. Once it sees me it literally sprints/flies to me.