Raising a single chick

[MarshyRooster]

We have several chickens, and we have two eggs, but one hatched a few hours ago and we're not sure the other will. How do we raise a single chick, to be happy and healthy? When it gets older, it will go in the coop with the rest of the chickens but we don't want it to be lonely, aggressive or sad while it's young. If anyone has any ideas, please post them here. Thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

You could buy another chick from a feed store/local seller. If that's not possible, then a mirror and maybe a small stuffed animal will give it some "companionship" while it's very little. I'd also give a lot of thought to raising it in the coop or run so it can see the other chickens, which should help with the loneliness.

 

[MarshyRooster]

Those are all really good ideas for socialization. I'll talk to my dad about using one of those. Thank you so much, from me and Dawnwing (that's my chick's name).

 

[azygous]

The very best way to satisfy a single chick's need to be with other chickens, not just chicks of its own age, is to brood it in proximity to the flock. In other words, rig whatever sort of brooder you would have in the house, but place it with the flock so they and the chick can relate to one another as it grows.

I've raised single chicks before, and as long as they are accepted by the flock from their earliest days, they develop into very resilient and self confident adult chickens.

You might be able to get ideas from the way I brood in my run and integrate at a young age where my chicks mingle with the flock by age three weeks. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...and-start-raising-your-chicks-outdoors.71995/

 

[MarshyRooster]

Thank you so much! Yesterday me and my dad went to get two friends for her (one Black Maran and one Golden Sexlink. I named the Black Maran Moonwing and the Golden Sexlink Breezewing) and she seems content now, but that is a good idea. I'll make sure she gets to spend some time with the older chickens- safely, of course!