Eglu Cube, auto door, walk in run for sale South West London

[tannerhill]

Hello, It was my birthday on the 26th April and my Grandson has just this evening presented me with a baby chick, I am delighted but also a little shocked as not sure how to look after it, been having a look at the messages on the forum and I woulld liketo ask... Do you think I should get another chick to keep this one company and is there anything i can get for a cosy bed for him/her. At the minute it is in a cage with straw on the base with a shallow water dispenser and a bowl for chick food. Also advised to give alittle hard boiled egg every other day, is there anything else I can give as a treat, or that will be good for him/her growing.Could i replace the straw with wood shaving as this is what I use in my eglu run and outer run also, or just use straw. Have also been loaned a heat bulb which have been advised to use 8 times a day at intervals. This chicken will be sleeping in the spare bedroom so any help/ advice will be greatly appreciate. Thanking you all in anticipation.. Joan

[Tweety]

Hello Joan, and happy birthday! What a surprise for you! Do you know how old the chick is? I have 7 chicks that are now 3.5 weeks old, and I still have the heat on for them all the time, albeit at the highest position my brooder will allow.

I am planning on turning the heat off during the day when they are 4 weeks old, and off completely a week or so later.

 

I wouldn't give any treats yet and, as long as the chick is eating and drinking properly from the bowls, wood shavings should be fine in the cage. I would definitely get some company for your little chick, probably a couple more at least in case of any losses.

 

Good luck!

 

Edited to add that you could put a furry toy in with the chick for the time being, until you have got some friends for it.

[Redwing]

Well you haven't done badly so far! As Tweety says depending on it's age the chick will possibly need the lamp all day or possibly just at night, if it's in the house it can come off heat at about five weeks. Do you know the approximate age of the chick?

 

It will need a pal or two, many people sell chicks, what part of the country are you in?

[tannerhill]

Many thanks for the 2 messages, realy appreciated. The chick is only 10days old, we are going to day to buy another 2 or 3 poss black rocks. Will use wood shavings like you suggest as we have 2 border blue hens which we have had for almost 18months now, and this is what I use for them.they have an eglu for an evening and also a massive 16x10 feet covered run for during the day when we are not in, otherwise they free range. I am a little worried that I look after this little one correctly and give it the best start Ican in life. Any further comments please. Thank you !! Joan

[Tweety]

I am a learner as far as chicks are concerned too, but the forum has been a great source of information for me. At this stage, your chick(s) need food ( I feed mine chick crumbs containing coccidiostat), water and heat and a clean,safe environment.

 

You can start turning the heat off during the day from 4-5 weeks, then off completely from 5-6 weeks when they can go outside during the day if it's warm. Outside full time from about 7 weeks, or when they are fully feathered.

 

Let us know how you get on choosing your new chicks today!

[Redwing]

At about 6 weeks old the chicks will need to move to growers pellets

 

Once outside they will need a separate area from the others till they are about 18 weeks old, if you dont have another coop and as we are approaching warmer weather Id suggest bringing them in to a garage or shed in a secure box for the first week or so then letting them have a sheltered large cat box to sleep in as long as the run is secure. A rabbit huctch makes a more secure and sturdy alternative

 

Good luck with it - personally I am amazed that someone sold a single chick to someone to give as a present but at least its ended up in a chicken friendly home!

[tannerhill]

Hello everyone who has replied to my thread... I have just found out today that the reason for the single chick was that it was the only one that had hatched out of 4 eggs. I have today another 3 chicks, one is a Bantam and the other 2 are Brahmas they are about 10days old and have settled in well. You will think I am totaly potty as I have them in the spare bedroom in an aquarium (without the water) with wood shavings to lie on and their water, and bowl with chick crumbs. Many years ago my Persian cat had al itter and I bought an electric heated pad to put in kitten pen, well I still have it which is amazing for me as everything gets thrown out if not needed, so I have this under the glass box and it is sitting on top of the bed in spare bedroom, The heat is on all day and night and a nice temperature, do you think this will be enough for the chicks, as they are all cuddled in together and fast asleep. If you feel this is not enough I will use the heat lamp which my Daughter brought as aloan to me from where she got the chick, the only thing is it seems to be very bright, it is a red lamp. Please advise me as I want to do my best for these little babies, they are so cute and full of life. Thank you !! Joan

[Tweety]

Hi Joan,

 

So glad to hear that your little chick has some friends! I just don't know the answer to your question about the heat pad - everything I have read about brooding puts the heat source above the chicks rather than below, and you can tell from their behaviour if the temperature is correct for them.

 

What did you do last night to keep the lone chick warm?

[tannerhill]

Hi Tweety, The lone chick was kept on the heat pad for the first night, and i had a cover over the metal basket type freezer basket, she was quite well yesterday morning. Last night I put wood shavings on the base and their water and chick food, again half covered and looked in on then twice during the night and they were all cuddled up, this morning they are all realy well chirping and eating their food, seem very happy, when I placed my hand to lift one up the heat in the box is realy warm, so I am hoping this will suffice. Thanks for your message and your concern. Will leave pad on all day unless room temp gets warm. Thank you! Joan

[Tweety]

The heat pad is obviously working well, so that is good news. The chicks' behaviour should indicate any problems with the temperature, so continue to keep a close eye on them.

 

Well done!

[tannerhill]

Hello to the members who replied to my thread, just an update. Sadly we lost one of the chicks she was the smallest one and I seem to think the breeder should not have sold her as I think she was too young. We gave her our best shot but it was not to be. We have 3 now Ivory, Snowy and Lily they are all lovely and coming on very well. Have moved them from the aquarium I had them in, to a dog crate which we have on the bed in spare bedroom, it has got the heated pad in also and area on top of the pad is covered with vet bed, they also have a cardboard box where they love to go and sleep, this morning my husband put a perch for them and they love it. They will be 3 weeks today and eating plenty of chick crumb and water from a chicken feeder, which they do very well. They are flying allover the cage as it is alovely size. We have put a type of strong cling film around the sides in case they got their heads stuck and have it coverd in side as so not to get stuck to it. Can I give them the same grit oyster grit that I give to older hens, in fact my husband bashed some down to just a fine grit and we put in with crumbs. How can I tel lif any are boys, I will be devastated if any are but one of them doesnt look to be as pretty as tthe other 2 so wonder if its a boy, any advise on what to look for to say what sex they are will be greatly appreciated. I will try and send a pic but dont realy know how to, will have to have a bit look and see. Hope all had a good weekend.