HELP ! New Chick & No idea !!

Hi, My 5 year old son was given an egg by his uncle, that evening it hatched in the airing cupboard !(it is 18 hours old now)

We have got it in a box with a light on it and some water (we picked up some info from some websites). Now we some advice on what to do next in the short, medium and long term for this bird.

Our plan is to keep it (unless it's a Cockrell, I don't think the neighbours would like it !!) so we need to know what steps to take next.

So over to you, chicken experts !!

Any help would be gratefully received

Thanks

Welcome jeffers71. You're in the best place for advice.

I would agree with vember. If you can get hold of chick crumb from a feed supplier or pet shop, that's ideal but boiled egg yolk is a temporary stop-gap. Also water in a shallow dish with some marbles or small clean pebbles in.
It also needs warmth. I've no idea what temperatures, but quite warm, I think, about 22+ degrees. Hopefully someone with a better idea can advise on that. And no draughts.

Good luck with it.
Whereabouts are you by the way ? Might be someone nearby.

Rob

I use a saucer for water sprinkle some chick crumbs on the water encourages them to peckand drink you may need to dip the beak in water so it gets the idea but normaly they do it on their own.
Would the Uncle give you a couple of chicks for company for yours they like to huddle together.
Mine at a week old go into a large hamster cage, its easy to clean and they can see all around, in the conservoty.
6-8 weeks go into my greenhouse which is in the semi- shade and roof painted.

Thinking a bit further ahead it is gonna need a friend ...............

I was advised not to introduce any other chicks as this one is on it's own and make catch infections etc. from any chicks added, and that they may not bond and that could cause more problems. Is this the case ??  :?

I find chicks bond, might be over interested in each other, but the pecking order comes later when older that when problems come in.
Do try to get one from Uncle same batch if poss then no risk of infection.
I have heard of peps putting a budgie mirror in with them and a soft cuddly toy to cuddle up to.

Hiya!

I am currently sitting with 2 4 week old chicks on my knee that i have become "mum" to.  They are just adorable but i dont seem to be able to done!  They follow me eveywhere...i went and weeded the front garden yesterday and they were quite happy to follow me to a different border and back in the house when i had done  

I have had these since they were 5 days old so i would recommend feeding them on chick crumb and boiled egg yolk just like every one else on here.  I would agree about getting it a little friend as they like to snuggle up to each other and "chat".  I let mine out in the garden under supervision so they can have a peck at the grass and a bit of a run around but make sure you dont leave them out too long so they dont get cold.

I keep them warm by putting a hot water bottle into their day box and refilling it as needed.  A nice warm snuggley arm or up a jumper is a favorite too   they also have a toy duck to snuggle up to.  At night i have a box with a light bulb which i switch on around 1.5hrs before they go to bed.  I have attached a mop head on one side which acts as a mother hen.  I also put a hot water bottle in under the mop head to give them heat throughout the night (i would recommend keeping the light off unless you want to be kept awake!)  Once they are under the mop head i put a dark tea towel over them.  That manages to keep them warm over night.

Once they get a little bigger like my 2 they love a little bit of porridge made with water and trying tiny bits of corn.

Have fun  

No not 24!!!  two fourweek olds  

I would be covered in poo by now!!!

I no the law...got probs with pc but once fixed (which should be soon) will be posting pics of the chicks and my other chucks too  

x