Single Baby Chick Questions

[plester01]

I have a single chick that is 3 weeks old. When should I take it out of the brooder? It is getting bored and is requiring more company with me than I can give it with work and all. Whenever it sees or heres me it starts to peep and wants me to hold it. Thats ok, but I just wonder if since it is a lone chick if it will adapt well with the others when it is older. Should I put it in a secure cage (like a bird cage) in the coop with the others during the day so that it can at least see and communicate with the others?

 

[CarriBrown]

It really shouldn't be in there by itself. They are flock animals and your chick is very lonely. If you can't get another one, the best thing to do is give it a stuffed toy to cuddle with and a mirror.

 

[peepsnbunnies]

I would try tapping my finger in the food and moving it around. That usually seems to make them curious and they start pecking around in the food. I had two little tiny ones and it worked for me.

 

[BeckyLa]

In my opinion, Plester, it would be a good idea to put her in a cage in the coop with the others. You could even wire off, if you have room, an area just for her that the others can't get into. You might need to give her heat, though, at night for a few more weeks so if you chose to put her heat lamp out there be sure it is very securely tied to something secure, a beam or something, so there is no chance it can fall into the bedding and start a fire.
But I think you have a great idea to socialize her.

 

[silkiechicken]

Socializing her would be great. Good luck with your chick. Make sure she can't get out with the older ones though because they can be pretty mean till she gets old enough to defend herself.

 

[plester01]

Thanks for your input. I think we will put her out in the coop during the day in a bird cage that I have and then bring her back into the brooder at night for warmth. Thanks again for all your help!

 

[plester01]

Well I finaly got up the nerve to put the chick out in the coop (in a bird cage for safe keeping) it seems to really like it. The hens are curious and one inparticular tries to peck the baby but thanks to the cage can not reach it. Should I leave it out during the night or bring it back into the brooder?

 

[silkiechicken]

For now I would bring it back in until it is more comparable in size to the others, then I would sick it out there for good I guess you can leave it alone in the cage but I don't know you night time temps so I'd be afraid of it chilling by it's self.

 

[plester01]

I was kinda thinking the same thing. Our nighttime temps are around 75 to 80. Mabey more we run the air conditioner in the house all night so I would say it stays pretty warm. Sould I worry about the other chickens being able to peck the baby through the cage?

 

[silkiechicken]

Wow... your night temps our our daily highs!

I wouldn't worry too much about the older hens pecking on him through the cage. I actually had 3 week old silkies... now 6 or so weeks old, running around with my whole adult flock without a mother. They learned very fast to stay out of the way of the older birds. They free range though so can hide easily.