Urgent. Tiny chick cold still alive. Mum doesn't want it.

[amberrenee]

HELP!!! Found this tiny chick in the nest bedding. Put it under mom. She pushed it away. It's cold. How can I save it? It's peeping. It's egg was like half the size of the other silkie eggs!

 

[ECMurray]

Do you have a light to put it under??? Even just a lamp? You could use your body heat. That's all I can think of! Hope it lives!

 

[Nannette114]

Yep I agree. For the very short term cup your hands and warm it gently like that.
Ideally for the medium term you need some kind of box with a 100watt light bulb, some chick crumbs and water (in a dish with stones to stop it falling in and drowning). Ideal temperature is around 95f for the first couple of weeks so a thermometer would also be great.
Hope this helps! Good luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[Nannette114]

Oh and for bedding some ripped up newspaper will do for now. Not smooth or it can slip and damage its legs.
Good luck!

 

[Burbs03]

if you don't have a lamp you could put it in the warmest place in your house in a card board box near a heater (just make sure it is warm enough, about 90 degrees) while you get a heat lamp (a heat lamp will be good to have in the future in case this happens again). if you don't have a warm place in your house you could sneak it in to the store with you while you get the heating lamp so it doesn't freeze.

 

[amberrenee]

Thank you! He's now in a box with the lamp. I had chicks last year when I got my first batch. I'm hoping for it!!! I've also been cupping it in my hands since I found it. This is my first broody hen and my first egg hatching experience.

 

[amberrenee]

When should it need food? It's still laying down unable to get up. Eyes closed. I think it hatched early today. If it perks up I think the hen will accept it.

 

[amberrenee]

I'm asking about food and water because I know it's too tired to move and the yolk sac absorb?

 

[Nannette114]

Well done. It sounds like you've got a good setup for it now. Keep it warm, with access to food and water, and we'll all keep everything crossed for you!

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

I have food and water available from the very beginning. Make sure the chick knows where it is - I like to dip the beak in.

Also, put some electrolytes in the water. Sav-a-chick would be good too. Something to help it perk up.