New to this baby chick thing and need advise!

[GiselleJ]

So about 3 weeks ago or so I was parked on the road and my son noticed this baby chick running into traffic on the pavement next to us. I tried to chase it back thinking it would surely join the mother and siblings. Nut there was not a single chicken anywhere and before it got killed my son put his hands out to her and she climbed in. She was so gorgeous, never saw a pretty chick like this before (my late grandmother used to raise chickens). We got her starter mix at a pet store nearby. He told us she looks like a Dominican chick. She sleeps with me cuz she misses her mom so I would put her on my tummy and cover her with a soft pillow to cocoon the way she would under the hen, leaving a small pocket for air. She's now molting her fluff and has gotten a puffy "tail" and wing feathers so can fly some. My question is this. Is it a health issue for her sleeping with me? I noticed she sneezed a couple times a couple days ago, and also yesterday. She is eating and drinking really well, shows no signs of snotty nose or anything. But I'm sneezing a bit today and have a slight sore throat. Could I have gotten this from her? I have no idea how old she is. We named her Annie after Orphan Annie and I'm already attached. Any advice?

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Get 2-3 more chicks as chickens are social creatures. You will need to build her a coop and start to switch her over to grower feed.

 

[enoryz]

Nope. Don't think you or the chick can pass a cold to each other.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You probably can't pass colds to each other but the dander the chick creates isn't great for you to be breathing around the clock, and conversely anything scented you have might be irritating the chick's respiratory system.

Unless you're set on having this as an indoor pet you should start looking into setting up a coop for her outside, plus get other chicks around the same range so she has a flock to be with.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! I agree with the other posters; get her some friends, and an outdoor coop, and get her out of your house. Maybe in a brooder in the garage, until the coop is built.
Have your location showing, and visit your state thread too.
Chickens are fun, but best outdoors.
Mary

 

[GiselleJ]

Thanks for the responses. I've been doing alot of reading and now i'm wondering if its a male or female and whether its a Dominique or Barred rock! I'm going to try have a look at the comb again. Also she/he is mostly black with a couple white feathers in the wing. No pretty barred design. When does that come in?