Sole survivor from hatchery order - keeping a lone chick happy?

[leahlefler]

Just had to post this one of our sweet chickie. She likes the stuffed walrus.

 

[Peeps61]

It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Young chicks (as in a few days old) typically aren't very hungry because they still have vestiges of the egg left to help them survive. They start to really eat and drink a lot after a few days. New chicks sleep quite a bit, so that's not unusual. The brooder should be warm, but allow for movement away from warm areas if desired. It sounds like you have everything set up as needed. She should continue to improve. Good luck!

 

[leahlefler]

It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Young chicks (as in a few days old) typically aren't very hungry because they still have vestiges of the egg left to help them survive. They start to really eat and drink a lot after a few days. New chicks sleep quite a bit, so that's not unusual. The brooder should be warm, but allow for movement away from warm areas if desired. It sounds like you have everything set up as needed. She should continue to improve. Good luck!

So glad to know that. She seems OK, just very sleepy and not eating much. But she wakes if I go in there and pick her up. We have a big brooder so she can escape the heat. I hope she makes it.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It's ok to have a warm spot but make sure there is plenty of cool space to get away so they don't get too hot. The first couple days they sleep a lot. They're worn out from hatching. A vitamin supplement doesn't hurt. Either Sav-A-Chik in their water or a drop of poly-vi-sol , without iron, in the beak. Probiotics are important too.

 

[leahlefler]

It's ok to have a warm spot but make sure there is plenty of cool space to get away so they don't get too hot. The first couple days they sleep a lot. They're worn out from hatching. A vitamin supplement doesn't hurt. Either Sav-A-Chik in their water or a drop of poly-vi-sol , without iron, in the beak. Probiotics are important too.

We have Sav-a-chick electrolytes and probiotic - and a big brooder so they can get away from the heat lamp. I just used diluted bleach to clean out the entire brooder just in case there was a disease issue going on with these. I have a feeling they died due to shipping stress.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You're probably right but they may not have been that robust to begin with.

Vigorous chicks can take a lot of abuse but they must be from vigorous stock.

 

[leahlefler]

It just makes me sick to my stomach, poor babies. I hope the shipping goes better next week. If it doesn't, I'm sourcing locally or taking a really long road trip to get them.

 

[CHICKLOVER69]

GOT MY CHICKS THIS MORNING. ALL HEALTHY AND ENERGETIC THANK THE LORD. SHIPPED MONDAY AROUND NOON AND POST OFFICE CALLED AT 5 THIS MORNING. HOPE YOUR LITTLE ONE IS STILL HOLDING ON AND DOING GOOD.

 

[jennianne]

Very sorry for your loss. Wondering how your chick is holding up? I had two of three lost with my first order (June 16th). I immediately ordered 5 more, they came a week later. It was tough for the lone chick that first week, but I spent a lot of time with her and made sure she was warm. I put a mirror, about 12x12in, in the brooder with her. Five weeks later, she still talks to herself in there sometimes, and cuddles next to it to sleep, along with all the other chicks. I think the mirror made her less lonely when she was alone. Once the new chicks came, there was no problems at all with everyone getting along. I still have all six, they're going strong.
Hope your chick is doing well. Best of luck with your new chicks when they arrive!

 

[leahlefler]

Very sorry for your loss. Wondering how your chick is holding up? I had two of three lost with my first order (June 16th). I immediately ordered 5 more, they came a week later. It was tough for the lone chick that first week, but I spent a lot of time with her and made sure she was warm. I put a mirror, about 12x12in, in the brooder with her. Five weeks later, she still talks to herself in there sometimes, and cuddles next to it to sleep, along with all the other chicks. I think the mirror made her less lonely when she was alone. Once the new chicks came, there was no problems at all with everyone getting along. I still have all six, they're going strong.
Hope your chick is doing well. Best of luck with your new chicks when they arrive!

Our sole survivor died about 12 hours after we picked her up. We did everything we could. Had a warm brooder, used probiotics and sav-a-chick in the water, put a mirror and a stuffed animal in the brooder for her. She had a hard time walking and as the day progressed was able to move less and less. She didn't eat at all and barely drank - and once she couldn't walk, I was dipping her beak to get her to drink. She spent most of her time under the heat lamp and snuggled up with the stuffed walrus we put in the brooder.





I got up in the middle of the night and she had died. She was on her side with her legs stretched back and was just gone. It is heartbreaking. We have a replacement batch shipping out on Monday. I hope they all make it.