Lonely peachick in brooder

[Chicken Keith]

Only one peachick out of three eggs hatched. The sole chick chirps for attention and seems lackadaisically interested in food, but hasn't coordinated pecking, grabbing and swallowing as a muscle movement. It stands well and can run around fine. It pipped its shell (breech end) on Wednesday, I finally helped it out of its shell yesterday morning (Friday). It can drink fine. I'm feeding it gamebird starter crumbles. Any ideas on if I'm doing anything wrong? Brooder temp is 95 degrees. When alone, it peeps incessantly for a mother, and I guess I am mother, but I'm all its ever known so this must be mostly instinctual.

Appreciate any advice. I know with chickens they have 3 days supply of food and water in their stomachs already and I assume the same with peas, just unsure when to start the 3 day count. Friday? Thanks for any opinons. Wish I had a second chick for company.

 

[birdmanmax]

I would also supply some greens as well just to get the chick interested in food chopped carrots and spinach, little pieces of berrries. In my experience peachicks usually eat on day two(out of the egg) and the can get very very lonely crying for hours on end. I would put a stuffed animal or a feather duster upside down to help cope with the loneliness, or add in a small mirror.

 

[Argus]

You have to teach them how to eat. It is easier with multiple new chicks at a time because as soon as one figures it out the rest will copy. With only one you have to keep showing until he gets it.

Lick your fingertip and put into the crumbles. Wiggle your finger in front of the chick. You might have to try several ways to get his attention but eventually he'll start pecking the crumbles off your finger. Then start doing it right above the food dish so he can get more from the dish after your finger is clean.

I only give them wet food for the first couple of weeks or so. Easy to get second helpings onto your finger too without tasting. It's easier for them to swallow and they really like it more than dry. Some are slower than others, I've seen week-old chicks who would only eat from the bowl when i put my finger into it. But eventually they all break the association with your finger and the food.

 

[MageofMist]

When I have chicks that haven't figured out how to eat yet, I tap at the food making kissy sounds to get their attention which makes them run over and investigate and then start pecking. You could also play this when tapping at the food, a peahen food call.

As for the lone peachick, unless you want to carry it around 24/7 to keep it happy, I suggest putting in a mirror and cuddly toy for it to look at and snuggle with. It works with lone chicks and ducklings, so it may work for lone peachicks.

 

[Midnightman14]

I would also work on getting more peachicks. Hand raising lone peas usually does not end well.

 

[Chicken Keith]

I only give them wet food for the first couple of weeks or so. Easy to get second helpings onto your finger too without tasting. It's easier for them to swallow and they really like it more than dry. Some are slower than others, I've seen week-old chicks who would only eat from the bowl when i put my finger into it. But eventually they all break the association with your finger and the food.

Great advice, thank you! I honestly worried the lil guy (or gal) might starve, but it appears to be doing well now.

 

[Chicken Keith]

I would also work on getting more peachicks. Hand raising lone peas usually does not end well.

That's interesting to know. I have a second egg in the bator due to hatch this Thurs, exactly one week after this one. Getting more peachicks is a little difficult at the moment. I have few expectations into how this will end. The chick seems to have good energy and does eat from my finger tips. Has gotten 200% stronger and more active in the past 48 hours, but I understand what you're saying about not ending well. Appreciate the thought to prepare myself.

 

[Chicken Keith]

As for the lone peachick, unless you want to carry it around 24/7 to keep it happy, I suggest putting in a mirror and cuddly toy for it to look at and snuggle with. It works with lone chicks and ducklings, so it may work for lone peachicks.

Good advice. I put a feather duster in the pen with it as birdmanmanx suggested too.

 

[Chicken Keith]

Well, here's an update: As Midnightman14 said: "Hand raising lone peas usually does not end well." Fortunately, a sibling came along one week later, so we no longer have a lonely situation. So now I'm handraising two chicks, and so far all looks promising. The youngest is 10 days old, the oldest is 17 days. When the youngest was 3 days old, it wouldn't have been a good idea to collocate these two, but now the younger can fend for itself well and I see no bullying between the two. They feed off each other in activity. If one drinks, the other drinks, if another flits around in the pen the other does the same. If one eats, the other eats. It's all rather communal. If I can just keep everyone healthy and worm, parasite free then I think we'll make it to four months no problem.

Now for the personality of peas. OH. MY. GOSH! I had no idea how these babies could charm me. I had help raising their father 4 years ago when a broody chicken hatched him. But I wasn't there or needed, to be mommy. Now, I'm "mommy" and these babies have won my heart. They are very alert, watch me continuously from the pen, they follow me as I walk by, nothing passes by their awareness. I now know the feeling you all know....