Found a baby chick in my ditch!

[ask]

I found a baby chick in my ditch last night. I put it a cage with some water and got some food from my neighbor who has chickens. Ironically, my father in law is getting ready to start raising chickens and is working on an coupe. My kids are very excited and I need to know what to do to try and ensure its survival. Please help.

 

[missusduray]

It needs heat and light. It should be kept in an area that is about 90 degrees. It also needs chick food. If it is getting adult bird food it also needs grit. Does the food look like it has whole grains in it? if so then it needs grit. Fine sand will do for that. Water is important. And bedding that is covered in papertowels for the forst 3 days.
How old is it? Does it have any feathers on it?
Kristyne

 

[ask]

I have no idea how old it is but it does have feathers. The food looks gritty.

 

[bayouchica]

Hi there, here's a link to our homepage about baby chic care.https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-first60days.html
Since the little one is alone maybe you can put a mirror in there & a small stuffed animal.
Does you nieghbor have any baby chics? maybe it got lost from it's mom.Poor baby.
I hope that helps ya out, good luck & let us know how the chic is doing.
Miriam

 

[ask]

Thanks Miram. We checked with my neighbor last night and she does not have any baby chicks. I am on my way now to get a heat light and correct food. I will put a mirror and stuffed animal in there with him. I will keep you posted. Amanda

 

[JudyMcKinn]

Strange he would be out there alone. He had to come from somewhere. Good that you found him.
You said you have no idea how old it is. Does it still have fuzz? What color? How long are the wing feathers? What color? does it have tail feathers yet? What color? Maybe we can get an idea from that how old, which will determine if it needs as much heat as a newly hatched chick, or if he is maybe a couple weeks old. did you have trouble catching him?
What state are you in? Could it be some sort of wild bird? Phesant, quail, turkey?

 

[ask]

He is still fuzzy but feathers are starting on the end of his wings. He is brownish in color with some darker patches. He was not hard to catch at all. We live in a rural area outside of Savannah, Georgia on a major highway in the area. The only thing we can think of is that he fell out of a vehicle going down the road. When I went to the local farm supply store this morning, they had quail and I took a good look at them and he is not a quail. I am not sure about phesant or turkey. Thanks for the help.

 

[robbobbin]

Can you post pictures?
He surely would have chilled to death with out your help. They can't keep themselves warm until they have most their feathers.

We better start calling it HER/SHE to change the karma-hehehe

 

[ask]

We have id the baby. He is a baby turkey. He is doing well so far.

 

[missusduray]

How in the world did you figure that out? I am curious. I am glad that you know what you are dealing with now. Congrats on the baby!
Kristyne