6-8 wk old hen rescued -- advice please

Doc · #1 07/11/12, 07:36 PM

A friend of mine drove in this evening with a very young chick (RRI?) that she found in a ditch by a busy road. No buildings nearby, no one else around. I estimate that she is not more than 6-8 wks old.

I put her in what I call our "triage" area that is in the chicken coop -- she is separated from the rest of the girls, but they can see/hear each other (my 20 wk olds are very interested in her).

I'm completely out of start and grow food but she ate the regular mix that I give the adult hens (I had some grit left over as well).
Do I need to buy a bag of start n' grow for her? Seems like a lot just for one which I will do if need be, but wanted to ask you all if I could supplement her diet with other types of food? I have cat food I could grind and of course lots of vegetables and fruits from the garden.

Also: she was just fine until right before dark when she started peeping and calling in that tone of distress. I put hay in the area and wondered if there was anything else I could do? She's probably feeling pretty alone and scared.

Gorgeous little thing, btw.

Thanks.

Awnry Abe · #2 07/12/12, 06:35 AM

If it were me, I would get a bag of starter, but I would knowing that I would be getting more chicks eventually.

Doc · #3 07/12/12, 07:09 AM

but I'm not planning on doing that for another year.

I had hoped for more responses about this.

Vickie44 · #4 07/12/12, 07:18 AM

I think it sounds like you have plenty of good food for her . The TSC by me sells small bags of starter but they are not cheap.

sherry in Maine · #5 07/12/12, 07:20 AM

well, what did folks do long ago, before chick starter?

They must have had some chicks that lived . . . and made more chicks . . .
Look it up on the computer . . . . . . might not be perfect truth, but you might read something about it

belladulcinea · #6 07/12/12, 07:34 AM

You can get a small bag of starter I think that and the extra veggies would give her a boost! That's what I would do.

ONThorsegirl · #7 07/12/12, 07:44 AM

I have had late chicks, that hens hatch out somewhere on the farm, I haven't supplied chick starter to these chicks, and many that the hens hatch out themselves, I let the hens do the raising! What ever momma eats baby eats. I would just give her what the rest are eating. The best thing you could do though, is get her a friend, same age, or a bit older bit younger (your 20 week olds, and going to pick on her). Let her eat what you have, she will grow fine. I haven't had any problems with my birds not raised on starter.
The only chicks that get starter, are the ones I hatch out purposly in an incubator, or buy day olds.

Hen hatched, are hen raised!

-Melissa

Ruby · #8 07/12/12, 10:18 AM

Years ago people didn't put them on starter. They roamed with mom and ate bugs worms and scraps from the farmers table.

JanO · #9 07/12/12, 09:52 PM

I wouldn't waste money on starter for one chick. Cat food, tuna, or whatever you're feeding the rest of them will be fine. She should grow and be fine as long as she's healthy. I do agree that she may need a friend though. Even if it's a duckling or something else, if you can't find another chick for her.

patty12 · #10 07/14/12, 09:45 PM

I am sure she will be fine with what you have on hand.
Someone ask what did people feed chicks before this day? My parents and all the neighbors feed new chicks oatmeal when they were newly hatched but usually they were with a mother hen and she get their food. You should see a mother hen digging in the earth and calling her chicks to eat. what she is feeding them is inviseable but i think it is some kind of micro elements in the dirt.