Single Chick

[ssferret]

I have a single brahma chick that hatched late Friday. (FYI eggs are from my own flock.) I was hoping to have one more at least for company but things didn't workout that way.

I have 2 more due this Saturday () and plan to house them with this one. I'm hopeful that the older chick will accept them. I'll get chicks from a store if I really have to, like if they don't hatch, but hopefully it won't come to that.

I know that just having a lone chick can be dentrimental to it's mental state. My question is would waiting just one week still cause any mental tics and make it less likely she () accepts the new chicks? I know she might reject them even if everything is normal but I'm more concerned about any abnormal behavior increasing the chance.

BTW she isn't alone all the time. I try to keep her company as much as I can. I'm hoping it's better than nothing. I don't work but I'm not always available either. It breaks my heart to hear her cry when I leave.

 

[Chapmangc1]

You should probably get her a companion that is the same age that she is sooner than later so that other problems don't arise when she is an adult like bullying or being bullied. I hope that this will help solve your problem!!

 

[Sara S]

Mine that are almost 4 weeks apart got along amazing, i hope yours do as well. I just waited a day so they could see eachother through a bin and then they got put together and they’re cuddle buddies and everything it’s adorable! Good luck!

 

[rosemarythyme]

A mirror or a small stuffed animal for the time being can be a companion, until the new ones hatch and are big and steady enough to safely join it.

 

[ssferret]

Update: I decided to wait for the hatching of the 2 new chicks which happened on Saturday night. After they fluffed up I put them in the brooder where they were kept separated from Titi (1wk old) to get to know each other while also allowing the hatchlings to recover their strength.

When I finally introduced them I was happy to see Titi show no aggression at all to the other 2. Then to my surprise one of the younger ones started pecking her! And regardless of being twice its size she didn't hesitate to submit!

There was nothing anywhere I've looked mentioning this scenario. I mean it's not like they're different breeds where the hatchlings could be different sizes as well as having different demeanors. They're all from my own flock of Brahmas which includes only one rooster daddy.

You won't believe how many times I've been told by vets and others "I've never seen that before" or "I've never heard of that happening" or "This is rare" involving many of my pets all through the years.

I know this can't be the first time something like this has happened but is it rare enough where my husband's can use one of his favorite refrains, "You have strange animals."