I found a chick

[momofmarypoopins]

On November 30th, my hubs found a single chick in the middle of a busy road. Needless to say, i am now the owner of what we call a road chicken. I think it's a bit small, and it's chest is a bit lopsided. Otherwise it seems ok. I can't tell how old it is, or what kind of chicken it is. It's currently in my living room in a big aquarium. It's not chick season and I can't find it a companion. I dont have the space or need for more than 2 chickens so i cant have any shipped. Do I have to keep it inside until spring? Do you know what kind it is? How about how old it is?

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Going by that last picture, I'd say you got it when it was a day or two old. I wonder why it was out in the middle of the road? It's lucky it survived. What is your outside temps currently? Being by itself, it's going to get colder than if it had some flock mates. It might be best (for it) to stay indoors until the weather is warmer. (Please ensure no pets can get to it!) Can you get any stuffed animals that is around it's or an adult chicken's size? It might be helpful to put a stuffed animal in with it to keep it company. If you can, it also might be best to spend as much time with it as possible to be company as well.

In the end, finding it some flock mates would be the best thing. Chickens are social creatures and need to be with other chickens, especially during this stage of life. If it doesn't learn how to be with other chicks now, when it's older, it might not do well with others (as in, it could be bullied or a bully, or always be an outcast).

As far as the rest, the chest is fine. What you're seeing is the crop, and it's always like that unless it's empty. The breed might be a Sapphire Gem, as that's a common blue variety, but I'm almost thinking I'm seeing a muff there, so it might be an Easter Egger of some sort.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

How about how old it is?

Welcome to BYC!

It's very young.. based on feathering, maybe a week old in the original pics.

The lopsided chest is where its crop is.. being full causes that look.

*Possibly* an Easter Egger.

I dont have the space or need for more than 2 chickens so i cant have any shipped. Do I have to keep it inside until spring?

Consider checking craigslist farm and garden section for a friend or to rehome it.. no telling yet whether its male or female.

Generally speaking it needs to be kept indoors until it's fully feathered, usually between 6 and 8 weeks old. Bumm feathers will still look like fluffy down. But it really shouldn't go out without a friend.

Cute baby, looks like you're taking good care of it!

 

[GodLovesU]

What are you feeding it?Wood shavings through the whole cage would probably be better bedding option.Definitely get it some friends and start planning for the future(eg build a coop or rehome).Good luck!

 

[momofmarypoopins]

Going by that last picture, I'd say you got it when it was a day or two old. I wonder why it was out in the middle of the road? It's lucky it survived. What is your outside temps currently? Being by itself, it's going to get colder than if it had some flock mates. It might be best (for it) to stay indoors until the weather is warmer. (Please ensure no pets can get to it!) Can you get any stuffed animals that is around it's or an adult chicken's size? It might be helpful to put a stuffed animal in with it to keep it company. If you can, it also might be best to spend as much time with it as possible to be company as well.

In the end, finding it some flock mates would be the best thing. Chickens are social creatures and need to be with other chickens, especially during this stage of life. If it doesn't learn how to be with other chicks now, when it's older, it might not do well with others (as in, it could be bullied or a bully, or always be an outcast).

As far as the rest, the chest is fine. What you're seeing is the crop, and it's always like that unless it's empty. The breed might be a Sapphire Gem, as that's a common blue variety, but I'm almost thinking I'm seeing a muff there, so it might be an Easter Egger of some sort.

Thank you. It does have fluffy cheeks. It is a bit cold here, but stays above freezing "most" of the time. I do give it supervised outside time trying to get it to learn to do chicken things but it would rather sit on me or in my hair. I did male it a lid out of cardboard with a saran wrap window so it couldn't fly out. 3 of my dogs would definitely eat it if got out unsupervised. It's a bit redneck, but it works good enough for now.

 

[momofmarypoopins]

What are you feeding it?Wood shavings through the whole cage would probably be better bedding option.Definitely get it some friends and start planning for the future(eg build a coop or rehome).Good luck!

Right now it has medicated starter feed. I have also let it peck at a strawberry and some arugula. I like the wood shavings best. But I think it likes the grass and stick side of the box the best, it's where it explores the most. I read somewhere it needed different textures to explore and learn, was that wrong? I can remove the dividers and just use the wood if that's safer.

 

[KyCoop]

Use caution when having your outside time. EVERYTHING wants a chicken nugget dinner and will snatch it out from under your nose.
If it gets to peeping , take it inside.

 

[WingItRanch]

Right now it has medicated starter feed. I have also let it peck at a strawberry and some arugula. I like the wood shavings best. But I think it likes the grass and stick side of the box the best, it's where it explores the most. I read somewhere it needed different textures to explore and learn, was that wrong? I can remove the dividers and just use the wood if that's safer.

No, you're doing a great job! It looks like the little one is well taken care of.

You might try reaching out to your local community on Facebook or something and see if someone has chicks available. I know it's not "chick season" but that doesn't mean someone didn't have a broody chicken that hatched eggs in the middle of winter!

 

[Ecarroll]

It's not chick season and I can't find it a companion. I dont have the space or need for more than 2 chickens so i cant have any shipped

A chicken needs to live with at least 2 others, as they are not just social animals, they are flock animals. So I would suggest ordering from a hatchery that has a two or three chick minimum, or start trying to rehome the little one. If you plan to keep it, start planning and building a coop, and get it some friends. If it’s male it will need at least 4 females, if it’s female it will need at least 2 more females. If you don’t have the space/money/time/interest for that, then post in the buy sell trade section of this forum, or on face book, or in other places to try and find it a new home.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, welcome to the forum! Glad you joined!

I think it's a bit small

That's just age

and it's chest is a bit lopsided.

As others said, just the crop. Totally normal.

I can't tell how old it is,

With that wing development probably less than a week.

what kind of chicken it is.

Right now it is a chicken. When I first saw your post I wasn't sure of that. There are a tremendous number of breeds, crosses, and specialty chickens; it could be anything. Once it feathers out, develops its comb a bit, develops it body shape, you can determine skin and leg color, and maybe special features you may be able to determine with confidence a breed or cross name. Maybe.

It's currently in my living room in a big aquarium. It's not chick season and I can't find it a companion. I dont have the space or need for more than 2 chickens so i cant have any shipped. Do I have to keep it inside until spring? Do you know what kind it is? How about how old it is?

A single chick can be a problem. They are flock animals which means they don't like being alone. They can imprint on other chickens, other animals, or people. Some can handle being alone better than others. I suggest putting a mirror in there so it can see its reflection. That often helps. A small fuzzy animal in there it can snuggle with might help.

That chick needs a spot warm enough in the coldest conditions and cool enough in the warmest conditions. That generally means a warm spot but enough room that the far reaches can cool off. It needs protection from rain and from a cold breeze. Some of us manage that brooding outside but for a single chick that may be easiest in your house.

I generally recommend a minimum of three chicks, not two. That way if one dies the others still have a companion.

You say you are not set up for a flock of chickens. My suggestion is to find it a home that is set up for it. I don't know where you are located. If you are in the United States, call your county extension office and chat with them. Maybe check at the feed store. They may know someone but they probably have a community bulletin board where you could post a notice. Try to find a local chicken Facebook group or other online group. Try to find your state or country thread in the "Where am I! Where are you" section of this forum and chat with your neighbors. Post an ad in the "But-Sell-Trade" section of this forum with your location in the title to attract your neighbors.

Good luck!