Weeg
Enabler
Tuesday morning, Early bird hatched out of a batch of 3 eggs on day 19 of incubation. She's a Cochin bantam, and eagerly waited for her siblings to hatch for two more days. On day 21, I was certainly worried. I knew it was hatch day, but why didn't I see any movement, or noise from the other eggs? I candled, and both eggs were dead. Early bird is a lone chick. Not only was she alone, but she hadn't dried fully after two days. I'm wondering if this is because of the high humidity 70-75%. So I took her out to dry under the head lamp. After removing to large chunks of membrane stuck to her, I left her under the heat lamp to dry. As son as I got inside she started peeping extremely loud in a panic.
Soon enough, I released that she has imprinted on me, and with no other siblings, she was sacred, and cried without me. Stuffed animals didn't work, a see no touch setup with a few other pullets didn't work, and the only way to keep her calm was if she was touching me. I couldn't hold onto her forever, and even standing outside the brooder she would freak. Finally, I had an idea. It wasn't a great idea, but it was something.
I called our Yellow Lab Comet into the house, and laid him down on his bed. He's a very obedient boy, so I thought I would give this a try. I placed Early bird in a little space just big enough, between his back leg, his body and his tail. I then gave Comet a plate of peanut butter, and told him to stay. Even after finishing the peanut butter and as I the this now, Early bird is happily sleeping under Comets leg!
She's not panicked, and Comet is doing an incredible job. I used the calibrated thermometer from my incubator, and the temp under his leg has been holding between 89-90 degrees.
Of course, I would never leave them alone, and am sitting at the counter next to them, watching the situation. Comet knows she's there, and is staying absolutely still. I can't be happier on who well this went! It was to cute not to share! Anyone else have adorable lone chick stories like this?
PS. This if for short term. I plan to get her a friend once my other batch of egg hatch in a week, or before them if my local feed stores get chicks in soon.
Soon enough, I released that she has imprinted on me, and with no other siblings, she was sacred, and cried without me. Stuffed animals didn't work, a see no touch setup with a few other pullets didn't work, and the only way to keep her calm was if she was touching me. I couldn't hold onto her forever, and even standing outside the brooder she would freak. Finally, I had an idea. It wasn't a great idea, but it was something.
I called our Yellow Lab Comet into the house, and laid him down on his bed. He's a very obedient boy, so I thought I would give this a try. I placed Early bird in a little space just big enough, between his back leg, his body and his tail. I then gave Comet a plate of peanut butter, and told him to stay. Even after finishing the peanut butter and as I the this now, Early bird is happily sleeping under Comets leg!
She's not panicked, and Comet is doing an incredible job. I used the calibrated thermometer from my incubator, and the temp under his leg has been holding between 89-90 degrees.Of course, I would never leave them alone, and am sitting at the counter next to them, watching the situation. Comet knows she's there, and is staying absolutely still. I can't be happier on who well this went! It was to cute not to share! Anyone else have adorable lone chick stories like this?
PS. This if for short term. I plan to get her a friend once my other batch of egg hatch in a week, or before them if my local feed stores get chicks in soon.
RIP, Early. Thank you, Comet.
