[PaulineM]

Hi
My chick is 5 weeks old tomorrow and is about to spend its first night without its Mum 
Mum has made it clear that she has finished her job and has returned to the flock. The chick is in a wire cage in a stable but will it be warm enough as it is on its own. 
Is there anything I should do?  I am really quite worried 

[GrannieAnnie]

Hi Pauline, as it is May now, little chicky may be okay on its own, but as its in a wire cage in a stable, can you tie something like cardboard around the sides of the cage to make sure there are no draughts, and when I had a poorly chick on its own, I gave it a little stuffed bunny to keep it company, and it snuggled down next to it at night.

In one of Katie thear's books, her small brooder box that she'd made, had a mop head hanging down to imitate 'Mum' and the chicks cuddled underneath it!

[joyfull]

or perhaps give it a teddy to cuddle up to 

[Carla]

Oh bless I'll come and sit with it, it can cuddle up to me!!! I'm sure he/she will be fine, but it pulls on the old heart strings doesnt it xx

[bantam novice]

Oh Pauline how difficult for you  .  The teddy or cuddly toy sounds like a good idea.  Good luck and keep us posted 

[GrannieAnnie]

or perhaps give it a teddy to cuddle up to 

You got something against stuffed bunnies Joy???   

[joyfull]

dspends on what stuffing - sage and onion? parsley and thyme? sausage meat?

[PaulineM]

Hi
I went out earlier to check on the chick and it was chirping like mad. I let it out of its cage and it started scratching around and seemed to quieten down a bit. All the big hens were fast asleep in the coop, I decided to leave it for 20 mins or so to see if it would go back into it cage. When I checked on it again it had decided to roost on top of its cage and had settled down. I have decided to leave it were it is.
I was going to bring it into the house in a dog carrier for the night but then I thought that might be a backwards step. I will check on it again before I go to bed.
I think I will be rising extra early tomorrow 
Wish it luck!!

[GrannieAnnie]

dspends on what stuffing - sage and onion? parsley and thyme? sausage meat?

Seems like chicky made up your mind for you Pauline!!! 

[PaulineM]

It certainly did GrannieAnnie, its the first time it has roosted aswell. 

[GrannieAnnie]

Awwwww! 

[PaulineM]

Goods news 

The chick survived the night. 

It roosted on top of its cage all night.

As usual Mum knew the time was right.