Now what should I do?

[ReReKitty]

A couple hours ago I was overcome with "oh look how CUTE it is!" syndrome and I bought a two dollar pullet chick. I was told that a regular lamp with a 100 watt bulb would be fine for now and such... But I'm kind of paranoid. I don't want to give up on the little chicken and give her away or anything, but I don't know how to care for her tonight. She (or he...) is 6-10 days old, based on photos I saw online. I took her home and put her in this cabinet in my bedroom. (My bedroom is very, very warm) with a bed full of pine chips and some feed and water. But the light bulb part is kind of scary. Will the lamp (desk lamp) explode or spark or anything? Will the little chick be okay with 100 watts? Because I read that the first week it should be 95 degrees. I got nervous and found a sock with a hole in it that she keeps her head poking out of. I held her in the sock really close. She purred or something (Really odd coo kind of sound) and peeped really quietly for about two minutes and fell asleep for about an hour. Now I put her back in the cabinet and she was peep-screaming. Will the desk lamp be okay for tonight if I keep her in a cardboard box underneath? I need some advice... ~_~;

 

[RAWR]

that should be ok for the night. but tomorrow your going out and buying suplise..right?

 

[sojeo]

I think the 100w light would be fine. Can you put the chick in a cardboard box and then shine the light in the top? Make sure the cardboard box is large enough for the chick to get away from the light if it gets too hot. Do you have a thermometer to tell what the temp is? If it's not warm enough, you can put a towel over the top of half the box where the light isn't.

I imagine it's upset that you are leaving it after holding it, it's probably thinking you are it's momma. Try putting a stuffed animal, towel or that sock in with it. My chicks are afraid of the dark, so that could be it too.

 

[sloallie10]

do you only have one chick?? if soo it could be lonley and you will probably have to get at LEAST one more.

 

[annek]

If she is really loud chances are she is either thirsty, hungry or cold. Since you gave her food and water chances are she is cold. She is by herself so can't huddle with other chicks to keep warm. Put a towel in the box under the light for her to cuddle in. Don't put it too close I would keep it about 5-6 inches away. Some people use a stuffed animal. I am sure your bedroom is not 90 so you will need to keep the box warm. Take a towel and drape it over part of the box to keep the heat in but be sure the chick can get away from the heat if it needs to. You can always heat up a rock or two and put it in a sock and then place them around for the chick to cuddle up to. The light will not spark or blow up or anything.

Be careful with water, chicks can easily drown. Put marbles or rocks in it so she can't drown.

Hope this helps. If you have a thermometer it will help but you can watch to see the heat. If the chick gets under the light, cold if it stays away or pants, hot.

Good luck

 

[RAWR]

:\\ it could be lonely. geting the baby a little friend would be a really good idea and entill you can get another chick, the stuffed animal friend would be a great idea too :]

 

[highcountrychickens]

Ooohhh,, you're hooked just like the rest of us! Congratulations!

The MOST important thing is to have some water for the chick - a jar lid full will do until you can get a waterer. The bulb will be just fine, just be sure the chick can move away from it if it gets too hot, or toward it if it gets too cold. Remember that being too hot is just as bad as being too cold, but they're really good about finding the right spot if they have enough space.

The peeping is because it is alone - they're programmed to be in a little clutch or flock, so you can either a.) buy another chick to keep her (him) company, or b.) put a little stuffed animal in with her. Do be careful about the sock - I'd be wary of leaving her in it unattended - she can snuggle in on top of it, but might be risky leaving her inside it both because of the need for her to be able to move to adjust temperature, and because of smothering.

Tomorrow you will need to get chick starter crumbles, a waterer and a heat lamp - a buddy would be nice too - and only another 2 bucks!

You're on a really fun path, and there is endless information and great knowledgeable people on this forum.

Have fun and good luck! Keep us updated on this thread about how she and you are doing!!

btw - if you're worried about temperature, drop a cheap and simple thermometer in the brooder - don't worry too much about the desk light sparking or exploding - rarely happens anyway, so no reason that would change tonight

 

[RAWR]

lol the first night with the chick is always the most exciting in my opinion :]

 

[ReReKitty]

Thank you so much for the help. The lamp I was using smelled kind of burned wire-ish so I'm looking for a different one right now. I'll definitely get her a lamp and waterer tomorrow. The clerk gave me some feed specifically for chicks that is "medicated" or something. I heard that ducklings and chicks could be raised together... Is that right? Duckling care (food, water, heat) seems similar to chicks, but do they get along? Just curious-- I think I'll go with a chick just to be safe.

 

[RAWR]

lol that sounds great :] and no problem..idk if i even really helped out any, but ok...lol