urgent—baby chick question

[franciemayhem]

Hey everyone,

We have a chick that hatched a few days early. She’s a Buff Orpington/Silkie cross. The other eggs passed candling tests, so we expect them to hatch, but in the meantime, our current early-bird is distressed. I’m going to call local farm stores to see if they have chicks in the same age range. In the meantime, what can I do? Is this situation bad for her health? A few days without a mama hen or siblings seems very stressful.

Side note if you’ve been following my other posts—we found a suitable home in case of a rooster.

 

[red horse ranch]

The chick will be fine by itself for a few days. Put a mirror in the brooder and spend time holding the chick if you can. It's not uncommon to totally raise a chick by itself. But it will become a pet.

 

[D1N0]

The chick will be fine by itself for a few days. Put a mirror in the brooder and spend time holding the chick if you can. It's not uncommon to totally raise a chick by itself. But it will become a pet.

I would probably do the same

 

[WildNectarine]

Not a mirror, a plush. They need something they can touch and cuddle with. And no, raising them alone is entirely fine, it’s impossible for any animal to die of loneliness.

 

[D1N0]

Not a mirror, a plush. They need something they can touch and cuddle with. And no, raising them alone is entirely fine, it’s impossible for any animal to die of loneliness.

But they can get depression and die from that. Like rabbits can get depression from not things to do

 

[D1N0]

 

[D1N0]

And chick the most out of chickens need a friend. At least 1 friend but they prefer a flock

 

[WildNectarine]

And chick the most out of chickens need a friend. At least 1 friend but they prefer a flock

That’s what the plush is for.

 

[WildNectarine]

View attachment 4148236

It causes symptoms, but it doesn’t directly kill them or anything, plus, they have you!

 

[D1N0]

Well if not tended to it can but like you said they do have the people