Refugee from the fire.

My neighbor's barn burned down last night with all of her baby chicks in it. They think the heat lamp started the fire. She found this little one this afternoon apparently the only one that made it through. It seems to be unharmed other than soot on its beak and a sore on its back but that appears to be from being picked on and not by the fire.

It seems to be in shock now, just stands there peeping once in a while. I've given it water and a quiet room but I don't know what else to do. Thought I'd try feeding it tomorrow. All of my other chickens are laying right now so I don't want to put it with the others and I have no chick food. Would feeding it layer food be ok in the short term?

This message was edited Jun 10, 2008 8:45 PM

I think so short term, you could also try crumbled egg yolk. and oatmeal Birds are very sensitive to smoke--he may be having trouble breathing.

That's cooked yolk right? I have a lamp on it right now but I wonder if I should let it be in the dark?

Yes, cooked yolk. I would keep him warm and in a quiet place--I think warmth is more important than darkness. Make sure he is aware of the water--if he doesn't drink by himself soon I would try dipping his beak in the water.

I already dipped it cuz it was acting so strange. I just peeked at it again and it looks like it is sleeping. Breathing deeply with its head behind its left wing.

That sounds good. Let us know how he does. Poor baby.

oh the poor little thing. I agree with everything Catscan said. You might also try dissolving a little sugar in warm water to give him. That might pep him up a little. Couldn't hurt any.

try chopping up some dandelion greens for him. it will give him a boost and help with the smoke inhalation. once mine almost caught fire, i got there just in time, and when i opened the door the chickens came out almost as fast as the smoke!

nice of you to rescue him. i guess he's about two week sold, so get him on some starter feed ASAP...

Do chickens get lonely? She seems to have perked up after her little nap and cries and cries unless I am in the same room. I crushed up some layer food and she set on that like crazy. She has had some water too.

Ladybug - thanks for the info about the sugar. Trying that now.

Tamara - I'll try the dandylions tomorrow - too dark and rainy out now.

Thanks everyone.

yes, and also very stressed. they don't handle changes in living situations well, and, well, this one just had her home burn down and lost eveyrbody she knew. i would say she needs a friend...

glad somebody is getting some rian LOL

Got,

I love so much that you're taking care of this little one. I'm not sure if it happens with chickens or not, and if it does, at what age, but I know that some birds, like geese, can "imprint". They fixate on whoever they encounter most frequently during a certain formative period as "parent."

The imprinting bond can be very strong.

You may acquire a friend for life. :)

-Joe

So, I ended up having to turn the light off. She just wouldn't settle down and everyone - me, the dogs, the cats, my husband...all need our sleep. I think she is feeling better, though. She was able to jump out of the box I had her in and managed to do some serious pooping in my spare bedroom.

I'm thinking of naming her SuzyQ.

It's so great you are taking care of this poor little chick. I figure if food goes in one end and poop comes out the other, the chick is probably gonna be just fine!

And Tamara Faye - you can have some of our rain. The Missouri River is flooding just a few miles East of us. I'm tired of the ground going squish.

How sweet of you to take care of her. I have absolutely no advice, but love stories like this. LOL I think I would have to call her Pheonix, since she rose from the ashes LOL.
She sure is a cutie though!
Good luck!

That's a great name idea jojo : )

Pheonix is a great name!

Well, she survived the night, even without the light. I thinks she's going to be just fine.

I would give her a towel or something soft to cuddle with. I had a chick once who fell in love with a string of plastic pop beads and would sleep under them.

Here's PhePhe now.

My husband just got done making a larger run for her inside the big coop. I'm keeping her away from the other chickens because she is still so small.

That is so great. I was wondering how your little chick was doing. I'm so happy that PhePhe pulled through everything alright! Cute little thing.

Christy