Help w abandoned baby chicks

[vlapinta]

My daughter and I are incubating duck eggs. We are about to go in "lockdown" Sunday night. My daughter works at a barn and 3 chicken eggs were abandoned. We think the hen died. They started to pip. My daughter took the eggs home and we immediately put them in a plastic tupperware inside our incubator. We wanted to seperate them from the duck eggs. One hatched at 3AM and another just hatched. We are not prepared for chicks. What do I need to buy as far as food? Do I need to buy grit? Do I sprinkle the grit on the food? If the ducks are in with the chicks can I give them the same food. What do I do about the grit then?
I have a waterer and I saw to put some marbles along the rim. Can I take the first chick out even though it hasn't been 24 hours yet? He is pecking at the new one that just hatched.
Can I keep the chicks with the ducks in the same brooder? Sorry for so many questions..
Any other help would be appreciated because we are trying to do a good dead and save these babies, but we are not prepared for chicks.
Vicki & Jaime

 

[ShaggysGirl]

You'll need to give them chick feed with that they won't need grit. I use medicated feed that is the only kind sold here. I sprinkle the feed around the feeder on paper towel till they figure that out then take out the paper towels and keep them on wood shaving. Dip their beaks into the water and they will be able to figure it out from there. Keep a red light on for heat and keep it so they can move away from it it they get to warm.
Sorry no idea about keeping ducklings with the chicks.

 

[vlapinta]

I just set up the brooder. With the red bulb I have I am getting temperatures of 86 degrees. Is this warm enough?

Vicki

 

[ShaggysGirl]

They say like 99 the first week then lower it 5 degrees each week. I honestly don't go by that just watch the chicks if they go close to the light they need it warmer if the get as far from it as they can and wings held out from body then they are to warm.

 

[vlapinta]

I just picked up Nutrena chick starter which is all the feed store had by me. It says,if desired, sprinkle fine grit on thier food like salt. I wonder why it says, if desired? I can't call the company till Monday. Is anyone familiar with this food? I bought regualar size grit from the feed store and I put it in the food processor. It is like a fine powder. Is this Ok to start?
Any suggestions are appreciated.
Kindest Regards,
Vicki

 

[GlitterKitty]

I read that ducklings and chicks need different feed. Ducklings eat alot at one time and if you have medicated feed they can eat themselves sick.

Good luck though Im sure everything will work out!

 

[Gonzo]

with the temp thing, I never use a thermoter (sp) I go off of watching the chicks... If they're close to the lamp end, and huddled together they're too cold.. if they're scatered about, they're perfect.. away from the lightsource and panting, too hot. you can easily drive yourself crazy with a thermoter.

 

[vlapinta]

They are here! One hatched at 3AM Saturday morning, the next hatched 10 AM, and the third 2PM. We just moved the first two to the brooder. All seem to be doing good.

We videotaped the hatch

www.youtube.com/thechesterthechicken


We went out and bought chick starter and grit yesterday. Tomorrow is "lockdown" for our call duck eggs. Keep your fingers crossed for us!


Vicki & Jaime

 

[wildorchid053]

they don't eat duck food so keep them seperate for a bit.. they can eat the chick grit if you want or give them something to snack on besides their chick food.. show them the water and dip beak in to show how to drink. same with food. put marbles in water so if they fall alseep while drinking they won't drown. they just crash when asleep.. look dead sometimes lol. use something they can grip to walk on.. paper towels not newpapers..some use the rubber mats that you use for cupboards. keep it 99 or so with a red heat lamp so they don't peck each other. but make sure if they get to hot they can move away from the heat source, you can put a little sugar in their water and make sure the water is warm to drink not cold. they should be fine. gl

 

[poultryfan73]

Ok what does "Lockdown" Meen? Sorry to be such a noob.