Single baby chick! Help!

[Katie386]

I think the best thing for all the chicks is to bring them all in. They do better in large groups. I had a hen raise a single chick and she had a rough time growing up With everyone bullying her and she had no one to run to since mom ditched her at 6 weeks. They need companions to feel safe around. The more ”friends“ they have the easier it is for them to fit in with the older birds. The mama hen will get over it and go back to normal.

 

[AntiqueB]

They will have to be raised together. Visits will leave the only one very stressed when the visitor leaves. They will also appreciate someone to snuggle with while sleeping.

 

[NatJ]

If bringing in one of the others, would it be ok to leave it in with the single one all day and night or just for visit through out the day and put him back with momma hen?

A permanent move is better than back-and-forth visiting.
So if you bring in another chick, just keep it in.

(Exception: if you bring in another chick, and decide in less than 24 hours that it doesn't work, you could put that chick back with the hen.)

 

[JustBabyMargo]

Got it. If bringing in one of the others, would it be ok to leave it in with the single one all day and night or just for visit through out the day and put him back with momma hen? I do have a tractor supply but it is a bit way out since I'm in the country, so I guess I'm trying easiest and most convenient choice if possible and if it's gonna be ok with their growth for both single and one of the others..

Try bringing one chick in, and see how that goes. For now, I would not recommend bringing all of them inside. I have raised chicks in smaller groups before, and it has worked. Try this, and tell us how it goes.

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

I have a very similar situation, even the "neighbors chickens" part! I wanted to let you know that I had much better success with egg yolk mixed with yogurt, water, and a tad of molasses. She's finally eating! I went the crumble down to make a mash, but she's still too young. Good luck!!!

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

Hmm.. now I'm thinking I should go scoop up the single chick I saw with a mama hen.

 

[NatJ]

Hmm.. now I'm thinking I should go scoop up the single chick I saw with a mama hen.

Why?

It is not good for a chick to live completely alone. It is best to have other chicks for company (with or without a mother hen.) But if there are no other chicks, and the mother hen is doing a good job, it is better for the chick to stay with her instead of completely alone in a brooder.

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

Why?

It is not good for a chick to live completely alone. It is best to have other chicks for company (with or without a mother hen.) But if there are no other chicks, and the mother hen is doing a good job, it is better for the chick to stay with her instead of completely alone in a brooder.

Very true. I've been thinking about going to buy another peeper from the feed store. Right now though, the little peep is making do with a mirror and a stuffed toy. This chick came from the neighbors flock which I either call the "Parking Lot Chickens", or else "the Other 98%". My own flock (behind a very high fence!), is actually....cared for. Ouch. Sounds snobby. Sadly, my neighbor has no clue about chickens. They believe they can forage for all their food, so long as they get a cup of cracked corn daily. Yep. So this chicks a rescue. The single chick I saw was also in that flock... I'd heard one chick even with a hen, is not good??

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

Oh wow, I am super sorry! I thought I'd posted that last bit on MY thread!! Apologies. I didn't mean to hijack!!

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

I think it's deleted, I really didn't mean to do that!