My litttle Pip

[catharinaberge]

I now have a 10 day old little chicken happily sitting in my lap while I am typing. His name is Pip, pronounced in Swedish, Peep. Well, at least that is what he told me.
His mother left the eggs, and I hatched him or her out. It is an Ukkelse baardkriel, a small Belgian breed. I am wondering how it would work to introduce him to the other chickens in my yard, or if they will peck him down. I fear that he will become too humanized in my house, and my husband will probably not want the house to become a chicken coup.
I believe it is a rooster, we checked wing feathers first week, and they were even length (if that applies to this breed too)
Will he keep knowing me or will he dissociate from me at a certain age?
Can I travel in the car with a little 2.5 week old chicken and how do they cope with that.

 

[sumi]

Oh, he's beautiful!
I had an abandoned chick too. I raised him in the house and eventually released him with the other chickens. Had a lot of fun and no problems. He recently turned 2 and he's still very tame and lets me pick him up and cuddle him, as long as his ladies don't see. But he's my top roo and keeps the flock and the younger boys under control.
We took him everywhere with us, shopping, the library, restaurants, when we applied for our passports... the beach! (see pic) He loved going in the car and was very good. I used to keep some food in the cubby hole for him and take a small bowl and a bottle of water.
While he was young he slept in a crate under a feather duster and sometimes in bed with me and during the day he had the run of the house and the garden. The poopies was small and easy to clean up and since he spent lots of time outside it wasn't a problem.

 

[catharinaberge]

Dear Sumi,
Thank you for that reply. My mother in Sweden (12 hours car drive away) is going in for surgery (cancer) and I had thought of taking Pip along, so that my mother could enjoy him. I was thinking of just making his carrier box really dark. During these hard times for my family, I find little life signs, and cute distractions are healing for the soul.
I will post more pictures soon.. right now he is sitting on my shoulder doing his morning wash.
Cat.

 

[sumi]

Hi Cat,
I'm sorry to hear about your mom. Hope she gets better soon.

I'm sure little Pip will cheer her up. Chicks have that effect on people.
I'm sure Pip will be fine in the car for such a long trip. I used to take my boy, Heide, on day trips with us. He'd sit on my lap or walk around the car (nowhere near the driver, of course!) or just sit happily in the bowl I took with for him. No problems!
But maybe you should take him on a few short trips first, so he can get used to the car noises and the changing scenery. If he's used to you and feels safe with you (sounds like he is already), he won't panic.
Have you checked with the high and mighty about travelling across borders with live chicks or are you going to hide him and keep him quiet?
Sumi

 

[FirewifeJess]

OH! Pip is adorable! What a handsome boy (if he is, indeed, a boy) Glad you're enjoying him and I hope the best for your mother and your trip with Pip.