Help!!

[BuggyBear]

Hi! my broody mama hatched some chicks and only two hatched and then she gave up another hatched 4 days later but this chick is weak and she won't accept her! The baby is chirping loudly for a mama and i feel terrible! What should I do The mama is wonderful with her two chicks and I really don't want to take them away from her!

 

[BuggyBear]

would she do ok on her own??

 

[smschultz]

would she do ok on her own??

Take the week one and raise it in a Rubbermaid container w/ a heat lamp. And provide food and water. Hopefully he'll do better.

 

[BuggyBear]

thanks will she get used to being on her own

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Brooding a single chick is problematic on several fronts and is best to avoid if/when at all possible. You might want to look around and see if you can find another chick or two that you can pick up to brood with this lone chick if you are not wanting to remove the other chicks from mama broody (I understand not wanting to do that considering she is doing a good job with them). If you just cannot find a broodermate or two for the loner you are going to need to be dedicated to providing for her needs that would be met by having a companion -- providing a "snuggle buddy" such as a feather duster, small stuffed animal, etc, a mirror to simulate having a fellow chick present, etc can help to alleviate the stress of being a lone chick.

 

[BuggyBear]

any idea where to find a friend for her?

 

[smschultz]

A beanie baby would work.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Depending on your location - some farm stores carry chicks this time of year, you may be able to find chicks on CraigsList, you can check out poultry groups for your area on Facebook, you can try the "local" thread for your state here on BYC....lots of places to look.

 

[BuggyBear]

would a heating pad on medium work instead of a lamp??

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

would a heating pad on medium work instead of a lamp??

Yes - here is one of the threads you can read here about using a heating pad to brood chicks: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update