HELP!

[runswithgingers]

Today my friends and I decided that we should go to the fair, the Bangor State Fair to be exact. Silly me wanted to go see the animals and long story short, the 4H animal club was there, and with a 5 dollar donation you could bring home your very own chick. My friend got one, (she has six chickens) brought it home and her parents were not having it, so low and behold, Oscar Goldman (who is a she) came home with me. I know nothing about raising baby chicks, and right now little Oscar Goldman (who I speculate is about 1-3 days old) is curled up in a cat carrier, that has a heating pad underneath two towels and is sleeping on a wool sock that I fashioned into a bed. I have two tiny little bowls that hold her food and water, but I am lost on how to take care of her. I know I shouldn't of taken her if I couldn't take care of her, but my friends parents were going to kill her, and I just couldn't let that happen. Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[rustychick2000]

Sounds like you have a bit of a situation. I suggest that you get another baby or at least something to keep her company. Put he in a box with a heat lamp over it. Make sure the temp is around 90. The baby needs to have easy access to both food and water.

 

[runswithgingers]

Tomorrow i'm going back, spending 12 dollars to get in to get another little chick. Where can I find heat lamps?

 

[rustychick2000]

Pet stores for heat lamps. Make sure you have the right food. What are you feeding it now?

 

[runswithgingers]

I have no idea to be honest with you, the people from the 4h club gave me a bag full of what looks like mini feed. Oscar seems to like it.

 

[rustychick2000]

Oh okay. Can you post a pic

 

[runswithgingers]

Feed and baby Oscar

 

[runswithgingers]

Also, I'm checking on Oscar, and she keeps opening her beak and kind of shaking her head. Should I be worried?

 

[3riverschick]

Also, I'm checking on Oscar, and she keeps opening her beak and kind of shaking her head. Should I be worried?

This chick needs Bovidr Labs Poultry Nutri-Drench to get it off to a strong start. I raise all my chicks on it for the 1st 2-4 weeks. Great stuff. Get it at your feed store or Tractor Supply. Get the smallest bottle. Give her one drop by mouth. Then repeat every 8-10 hours as needed until she is perky. Put 2ml per gallon in her water . It should look like very weak tea. Here is an article I wrote on it. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/746509/how-to-deal-with-travel-stress-in-baby-chicks
It doesn't need digested. An excellent emergency nutritional supplement. Mainlines directly into the bloodstream. Measurable in the bloodstream in 30 minutes with 99% utilization. All natural. http://www.nutridrench.com
If they are out of the Poultry Nutri-Drench you can use the Goat Formula. I raised 42 Light Sussex on the Goat Formula last season with great success. Just make sure you use the Poultry Instructions. Tho the Bovidr Labs formulas are species -specific , they also meet the scientific standard for a universal formula the tech at Bovidr Labs told me. So, in a pinch you can sub another formula for the one you need. I try and keep the formula as close in size to my chickens as possible so I use either Poultry or Goat. I have used both Pet Nutri-Drops and Beef Nutri-Drench on my collies with good success. Bovidr Labs told me I could use the Beef on my rough and smooth collies. Whichever formula you use, Poultry or Goat, make sure you use the instructions for the species you are treating, smile.
Best Success,
Karen

Honestly this stuff saves so many chicks each season which are stressed for one reason or another. Stress compromises the chick's ability to uptake helps we are giving them. It's a tough thing because we are trying to help by giving them goodies, but the stress inhibits their ability to uptake them from the G.I. tract. The drench mainlines directly into the bloodstream and bypasses the uptake problem The chicks gets the energy it needs to keep the immune system working well and energy to keep itself going. I simply won't raise chicks without it.

 

[Erna]

Have you bought another chick yet? Company is a good medicine, too.