one day old and hungry

[CoyoteMagic]

I think KeyWestChick is in gainsville

 

[MaryFrances]

I know a few folks around here who keep chickens; I'll find someone with some chicks so she'll have company.

I want her to get a bit stronger, first. I am sure she was just one day old; that was the first day I saw them, and this chick so so tiny, smaller than an egg. The only way she survived at work was for me to put her in my bra; I was too busy to do anything else! This chick is confused about who her mama is; she is only content when I put her in my bra!!!!

I have a big basket I'll hang from the ceiling rafters to keep her from the cats.

They are a little too interested. I guess I'll have to hang a light as well.

She loved the egg but isn't going for the water; I'll keep trying. I have sand; just put some regular sand in with the food?

I guess I'll be surprised if she is a rooster!

 

[Buugette]

Quote:
Aren't bras a wonderful thing sometimes...

 

[MaryFrances]

How much should this chick be eating? I believe it's her second day and she is not eating too much...she pecks at the eggs a little bit and eats some, and doesn't seem to get much in unless I give it to her mashed on the end of the dropper. She'll eat for a bit then stop. She doesn't drink much unless I drop it on her beak. I know she got very, very cold and there could be some brain malfunction. There is no lung malfunction.

 

[MaryFrances]

I don't have a thermometer and I don't want to cook her. How far should she be from a 75 watt bulb? Should I use 40 watt? She likes the 75 watt and goes to sleep. I get nervous and wake her up! I've had older chicks but never one so small.

 

[MyKidLuvsGreenEgz]

Get you a large large box or tub. Cover bottom with newspaper. Hang the light bulb down towards one end about a foot away (make sure it doesn't touch the box so no fire threat). Put a small dish of water about a foot or 2 away and the egg yolk on a small dish there too. That way when she's cold, she move close to the light bulb. If it's too close to her, she'll move away. Take your cues from her .. huddled under the light bulb means she's still too cold. Far away from the light bulb means you could move it up more. But she'll move away to get the food and water, getting exercise.

I really advise you to get a heat light bulb. Those are red. They provide heat, but not necessarily the light. They need the "daylight" off during the night to help establish sleep patterns, and give her some "off" time although for the first several weeks, they'll still eat and drink and play at night. So a regular light bulb really isn't the best thing.

Seriously, you should get to a feed store today. Get the red heat light bulb and the special lamp it plugs in to. Get the chick starter feed (medicated is fine), and chick feeder and waterer. These will help your little buddy get through these first few days.

Also, they shouldn't be left alone, so either get another chick or two, or pass her off to someone who has chicks. They get lonely.

Good luck.

 

[xyresicchick]

did you try to put her back under mama when mama is sleeping at night. i have known chicken mamas to steal other peoples babies. they just want all the babies to be under them. see if mommy will take the chick back -- just put her under mom if shes sleeping and she should take the chick back. she will not remember how many chicks there were. chickens can not count!

that is my opinion.

 

[MaryFrances]

Great idea, I will try that. I almost bought another chick today but would rather try to give this one back to mama on Monday when I go back to work.

This chick has really been hollering for an hour. I checked her butt and it seemed a bit caked with poo. I cleaned it off, then kept applying warm water with my finger since it seemed as though it may have been plugged a bit. When I put her down on my bed spread, she let out a watery poo. She is still hollering. I put some olive oil on her butt and massaged it some and will go buy some yogurt.

She ate egg yolk for the first 2 1/2 days, she's been eating non medicated starter by mama pro for around 5 hours. She is just a bit quieter just now; I've been holding her for a while. Put her back in the bra. She looks OK; she's very black and is a bit hard to see details. Do they just holler sometimes? She seemed to like it when I was rubbing olive oil in her butt.

 

[hokankai]

She may be lonely. Try putting a mirror in there with her so she thinks there's another chick there. Chicks also get loud when they are too cold or hot, just like a baby cries when it's uncomfortable

 

[MaryFrances]

Sat down, holding her, prayed; prayed for Japan, the nuclear reactor to cool, and for the little chick to feel better. She is quiet now; going back to sit and pray some more. Thank you all so much for all your help; you have been incredible.