Hi, found a problem early this morning. My first chicks parents have hatched 4 chicks so far, first 2 great, 3rd died overnight 1day old. To-day no 4 chick, 1 day old was gasping for air? no sign of food in crop. I didn't know what to do so I dissolved some castor sugar in warm water and let it have a drop or 2 in it's beak, which it took. I placed it back in front of other chick's and prayed , have just checked it seems a little stronger and has a little bit of food in it's crop. Would the sugar water be okay or not if this happens again? I am getting some rice cereal or yoghurt to have on hand as more chicks are due, 3 eggs left in this nest and others due from to-morrow onwards in other nests. thanks for any advice.

I would be inclined to keep some baby rice cereal or baby mixed grain cereal on hand if you have no hand rearing mix. Just for emergencies and not long term feeding.

Edited August 15, 200915 yr by KAZ

I would be inclined to keep some baby rice cereal or baby mixed grain cereal on hand if you have no hand rearing mix. Just for emergencies and not long term feeding.

Hi Kaz, I've now got some rice cereal on hand. Have checked chick again and parents have given it more food, it's a bit more active than when I found it this morning so hope it will continue to do o.k. now. Thought the sugar and water may keep it going until they fed it, it was really weak and gasping. thanks again