Cheryl Posted September 15, 2010 Share Posted September 15, 2010 (edited) My hen was due to hatch 7 eggs today, I went out hoping to return to some exciting little babies, but when I got back although I could hear chirping there was one little fella that had strayed from mum, and was lying lifeless and freezing cold in the hay, I picked him up and took him inside and showed my husband and we both felt so sad, but I had an idea to put him in my bra, to see if I could revive him.. and blow me down!, after about 1 minute he started to twitch then to tweet, I asked my daughter to fetch a hot water bottle, but he was still tucked into my bra, and when the bottle was made I pressed it to my chest lightly and he revived totally!. I am so delighted, and hes totally fine now What I have done now though is I moved all 5 chicks that have hatched indoors with their mummy into a large cage, and placed the two other pipped eggs under her aswell. Does anyone know what I should do next?. how long should I keep them all inside..Ive also put a Brinsea heater in the cage incase someone strays again, but they are all in a very warm room, its so cold outside.. Any advice please! Edited September 16, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 This is the risk with late hatchings unfortunately, they are vulnerable to the cold. Great that you managed to revive the chick. It isn't really going to be practical to keep her indoors for any length of time. Have you a shed, greenhouse or garage that you could move them into until they have grown on a bit? The broody should be able to keep them adequately warm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl Posted September 16, 2010 Author Share Posted September 16, 2010 hmmm well they have a coop in a walk in run but i fear they will get cold .. not sure what to do.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl Posted September 16, 2010 Author Share Posted September 16, 2010 i dont know if you can watch this but here goes.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 Hi - just watched the video, they are so cute! Is it rice they are eating? Do you have chick crumb down for them too? Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 If I were you I'd put them back outside today and keep a close eye on them. Mum should be able to keep them warm, plus they'll harden off quicker outside than they would indoors. The longer you leave them in now, the harder it'll be to get them outside and you'll end up with chicks in the house all winter. I had a similar thing happen with one of my Orpington chicks. Bridget & Francesca either hadn't noticed it'd fallen away from the nest or they were too comatose on their remaining eggs to care but I found a chick very cold and close to death when I checked on them late one night. I scooped it up and put it under a heat lamp. Within half an hour it'd dried off and was trying to walk about. I left it under the lamp all night and put it back under the girls the next morning. He's almost six weeks old now and built like a brick outhouse He was lucky to hatch in the first place, his egg arrived with a hairline crack which I put nail varnish on. It's sods law that the chick that causes me the most drama has to be a boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl Posted September 16, 2010 Author Share Posted September 16, 2010 I agree with eveyone, but someone told me that there may be a frost in the next few days, should I still put them outside?.. of course I think its better.. the food I put down for mum was some porridge. they all nicked a bit.. I am waiting on some chick crumb, I ran out, I have been crushing up some growers pellets with a grinder and adding vitamins.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 Growers pellets don't contain adequate amount of protein for tiny chicks to be on them for any length of time. I'd get them on chick crumbs as soon as you can. Take care that you don't overdose them on vitamins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl Posted September 16, 2010 Author Share Posted September 16, 2010 I ran out to buy chick crumb today, so thats sorted. I have left them indoors today until the weekend, give them a chance to fluff out and relax a bit.. they all look beautiful and mum seems happy, they will be going back out this weekend not before simply because I need some help moving things around..I have to say that chicks reared this way look much happier and healthier than the incubator method, not sure I want to do it that way in a hurry again..this has been very pleasant, and having them inside for a few days has been a delight.. Please look at the video above on youtube its fab! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
