The Anticipation is Too Much!

[wildone]

baby chick drowning in their water. a fourth inch maybe half inch. i also put red marbles in the bottom just for safety.

(hit the darn send button, and took me a while to realize it )

 

[Kaffyne]

Chick is still alive (at least as of this morning)! I'm worried it's not eating/drinking enough, but it's pooped 3 or 4 times, so I think has been a bit. I've got multicolored marbles in the drinking well (I did notice it pecks at the red ones more!) and food scattered pretty much everywhere.

 

[wildone]

awesome! i like you new avatar even more. trust me, you will never stop worrying until they are all safely grown up. at least if your anything like me you won't. i stayed up all night to 'watch' over them when i first got them, but all that got me was a sleep deprived day the next day. you'll do great.

p.s. i would think about giving him/her a friend later on in his/her life.

just a thought

 

[Kaffyne]

Thanks!! I have also already stayed up, sort of... the chick's been crying in the brooder when I'm not there (or my hand), so I spent the night with it under my cupped hand. Unfortunately, I can't be there all the time with work and stuff.

Definitely thinking about a pal, but any tips for the lonely chick in the meantime? I already have a towel, a stuffed animal, and a mirror in there, but nothing seems to work (other than me). It's been crying itself hoarse :c

 

[DK newbie]

Feather duster? Some people have succes with that and if you can suspend it just a bit above the brooder floor it can snuggle into it almost like it would with its mother.

 

[wildone]

pom-poms might work. i would glue a feather on the back of one. not only might it keep your chick company, but i will look funny too. this MIGHT work. i give no promises. every chick is different. good luck!

 

[Kaffyne]

I made a hammock to sling around my neck and kept it in there for most of yesterday, which kept it close and from crying, and kept my hands free to do things! I'll definitely try the duster/pom pom idea tonight.

New worry: Chick does not seem to be doing well...I moved the brooder to its permanent home last night, which has a colder ambient temperature. Heat lamp now reading ~83* max (was ~95*). Chick was found sprawled sideways halfway away from the brooder this morning and breathing shallowly. I moved it under the the lamp and nestled it into the towel for support, but it can't stand by itself anymore. It keeps rolling over on its back and is unable to right itself. I couldn't do much more before I had to leave.

 

[Kaffyne]

I did some searching, it looks like wry neck maybe?

 

[Kaffyne]

Well the saga is over guys, the chick died.

 

[Diamond Dan]

Sorry for your loss its something we all go through just keep hatching