SURPRISE CHICK HATCH need advice

[chickenchick12]

Ok. So, about 3 weeks ago I took some eggs from our coop and wrote ''hatch'' on them with a Sharpy. I then put them under our broodies, Fuzzball, Zebuzz, Smoothie, and Dinamite(my all time favorite chicken

). I didn't know if the eggs would hatch, it just seemed like a good test for the broodies(and I really want chicks

).But, last night, Dinamite passed the test. I stepped into the coop to count the chickens and shut them in for the night. I went straight to the nests to pet the broodies.
I looked in Dinamites nest and saw a cracked egg. I instantly thought that Dinamite had pecked the egg and eaten the yoke. Just then I heard a soft peep peep and almost fainted

. I gently lifted Dinamite and under her was a fluffy, healthy chick that looked like an Auracuana

. I set Dinamite back on the chick and screeched with delight

. I ran back to the house at full speed. I put on the brakes and got my younger sister and mom. They came outside and we put food and water in the nest and put chicken wire across the nest so that Dinamite and Surprise(the chick's new name) can't get out. Surprise has a small spot on her head that is bloody from hatching. It's dry but Dinamite pecks it. Is it Ok to put Vicks on it or is that bad for the chick

. If so do we need to separate the baby from it's mother.

 

[red horse ranch]

Ok. So, about 3 weeks ago I took some eggs from our coop and wrote ''hatch'' on them with a Sharpy. I then put them under our broodies, Fuzzball, Zebuzz, Smoothie, and Dinamite(my all time favorite chicken

). I didn't know if the eggs would hatch, it just seemed like a good test for the broodies(and I really want chicks

).But, last night, Dinamite passed the test. I stepped into the coop to count the chickens and shut them in for the night. I went straight to the nests to pet the broodies.
I looked in Dinamites nest and saw a cracked egg. I instantly thought that Dinamite had pecked the egg and eaten the yoke. Just then I heard a soft peep peep and almost fainted

. I gently lifted Dinamite and under her was a fluffy, healthy chick that looked like an Auracuana

. I set Dinamite back on the chick and screeched with delight

. I ran back to the house at full speed. I put on the brakes and got my younger sister and mom. They came outside and we put food and water in the nest and put chicken wire across the nest so that Dinamite and Surprise(the chick's new name) can't get out. Surprise has a small spot on her head that is bloody from hatching. It's dry but Dinamite pecks it. Is it Ok to put Vicks on it or is that bad for the chick

. If so do we need to separate the baby from it's mother.

You definitely need to put something on it. She will keep pecking it until the chick dies. Vicks may have too strong of an odor but some kind of salve will work. Anything to hide the red color that doesn't look like food to momma.

 

[Suckafish272]

Any chance you can cut the blood spot off without removing all the down underneath? Maybe mama is trying to remove it herself and not really cause a wound...

 

[chickenchick12]

It is covered in a layer of layed down feathers. The mom isn't pecking it anymore. But will it make feathers there not grow? And I have another question. Is it Ok for the chick to eat layer pellets and scratch? I haven't seen her drink yet and she is over a day old. Is she just doing it when I'm not around or is she not drinking at all. I saw her poop and it looked kinda like whipped egg yoke. Was that the last of the nutrition from the yoke?

 

[Nupe]

Layer feed is not good for babies or any bird that isn't laying. Not even mama at this point. Too much calcium. The chick really needs chick feed. Medicated or not is up to you. Also the chick is too young for scratch.

 

[red horse ranch]

I agree! Layer is not good for babies and the chick is too small to eat pellets anyway. Get some chick feed! Scramble an egg and mash it fine. The hen will teach the chick to eat and drink if the food and water is where the chick can reach it.
The feathers on it's head will grow out. It sounds like a little of the membrane was stuck to the top of it's head and momma was just trying ti pick it off.

 

[kltrett175]

Dry oatmeal is what I was told to feed them if you don't have chick feed.

 

[CollegeChicken]

dry oatmeal can cause runny stool in some chicks , it would have to be put through a food processor and made into tiny crumbles anyway...better off to feed a crumbled up hard boiled egg and maybe small amount of dry oatmeal or better yet corn flakes with it ( either or would need to be well crushed ) - However I would only do this until I could go to the store and get some chick food

 

[chickenchick12]

THANKS EVERYONE!!!!! I had my mom by some chick starter and we gave it to Dina and her baby. But Surprise was eating a little scratch before. Is that Ok? And I think your right about the bloody spot, just a place where the membrane was attached. THANKS AGAIN!!!!!!

 

[CollegeChicken]

dont let the chicks each scratch for a while..until theyre about two weeks old..then let them try some in addition to adding some grit to their diet, whether free choice or with the scratch - free choice is ideal..i offer free choice 60%oyster shell 40%pigeon grit for my chickens ALWAYS. Chicks can eat non toxic play sand as grit until theyre 1-2 weeks old when they can eat pigeon grit or parakeet grit ( pigeon grit has vitamins and minerals but no calcium so it is safe for chicks..it contains a minimal amount of oyster shell which the chicks almost always avoid)