What to do with lone week old chick???

[619joyful]

I'm new to chickens, and feel terrible after watching two baby chicks die this week. There is one left. I've read it's not good to have only one. But what should I do? I'm concerned that it may have been exposed to a disease or something if that's what did the other two in, so I'm hesitant to either put it in with some older pullets that I have in a separate enclosure, or to get it new companions. And I wish I knew why they died, especially because I have these other chickens that are a couple months old and they're healthy and I want them to stay that way. Everyone is getting medicated feed, ACV in their water, DE, and probiotics. The first chick that died weighed 28g on 6/20 and never gained. It died the night of 6/24. The second one that just died about an hour ago had been gaining well. It started at 30g but stalled at 44g a couple days ago. The third started at 38g and is now 56g. It's been quite distraught this past hour since the other one died, chirping loudly and trying to fly out of the brooder, which are both new behaviors. Any and all recommendations welcome. Thank you!

 

[troy4]

Well not trying to be mean,but them 2 chicks could have died because of you.I only say this because I even made that accident.So its fine!If you can, try getting more chicks.Do you have ANY other animals or chickens?NEV ER put it with older ones without introducing threw another pen.(You a newbie at chickens,right?)

 

[FaithM]

I'm sorry about your other chicks! I would try to find some new chicks around your area because it's not good for chicks to be alone. Until then, put a small mirror in the brooder to help the chick feel less lonely.

 

[619joyful]

Thanks for the replies so far. I hear you both saying to get more chicks. If I get more how do I know 1) that I'm not doing anything wrong that will lead to their demise, and 2) that this lone chick is healthy and won't make any new babies sick? We gave this one that's left a stuffed animal and a mirror last night but it didn't seem to interested in either. It's eating and drinking. Mostly though it sits on the waterer crying But it settles right down when I let it snuggle up in my shirt (TMI?) As for other animals, we have two guinea pigs and a fish, as well as three pullets that are about 2 months old.

 

[FaithM]

Thanks for the replies so far. I hear you both saying to get more chicks. If I get more how do I know 1) that I'm not doing anything wrong that will lead to their demise, and 2) that this lone chick is healthy and won't make any new babies sick? We gave this one that's left a stuffed animal and a mirror last night but it didn't seem to interested in either. It's eating and drinking. Mostly though it sits on the waterer crying But it settles right down when I let it snuggle up in my shirt (TMI?) As for other animals, we have two guinea pigs and a fish, as well as three pullets that are about 2 months old.

Ok.. Can we see a pic of your brooder? It may be that your chicks were too hot or cold, or it just may have been that those chicks just weren't meant to live. How old is the lone chick? Don't put it in with the 2 month olds because they may try to harm this chick. Did you show them all to the food and water when you first got them home? I would get new chicks anyway and just try to pick the biggest, healthiest looking ones you can find.

 

[rockys]

We recently had a similar experience, loosing three chickens in a week. I think they were sick and/or I didn't stay on top of the pasty butt situation as well as I should have.. Our fourth chicken who was sick seemed to have turned a corner after week cleaned everything out with bleach and let it air dry in the sun. I hope you little guy gets friends and all stays well.

 

[FaithM]

Yes, I was going to add that it may have been pasty butt as well!

 

[troy4]

Thanks for the replies so far. I hear you both saying to get more chicks. If I get more how do I know 1) that I'm not doing anything wrong that will lead to their demise, and 2) that this lone chick is healthy and won't make any new babies sick? We gave this one that's left a stuffed animal and a mirror last night but it didn't seem to interested in either. It's eating and drinking. Mostly though it sits on the waterer crying But it settles right down when I let it snuggle up in my shirt (TMI?) As for other animals, we have two guinea pigs and a fish, as well as three pullets that are about 2 months old.

Just ask for info.

 

[troy4]

Thanks for the replies so far. I hear you both saying to get more chicks. If I get more how do I know 1) that I'm not doing anything wrong that will lead to their demise, and 2) that this lone chick is healthy and won't make any new babies sick? We gave this one that's left a stuffed animal and a mirror last night but it didn't seem to interested in either. It's eating and drinking. Mostly though it sits on the waterer crying But it settles right down when I let it snuggle up in my shirt (TMI?) As for other animals, we have two guinea pigs and a fish, as well as three pullets that are about 2 months old.

Have they ever been in contact.You may have brung a disease from your pullets or they came in contact.Chicks can catch diseases from older ones if they are not getting the medicine/Antibiotics in their water.This medicine makes it where they can't catch any other diseases from others.If you do not have this its in a blue package its small with a duckling turkey and chick on the front of its at feed stores.Also give them chick starter feed.Are the guinea pigs any where close to the chick?

 

[FaithM]

I think that troy4 is referring to electrolytes and probiotics. Have you been putting these in their water?