HELP!!
I just recieved my Murry Mcmurry jumbo cornishX today and the 'extra' was this tiny little crested Polish that had been trampled by the big bruisers. One toe is cut and was bleeding,(broken?) and both of its eyes are swollen shut.. I've used a warm, wet (not sopping) washcloth on it's eyes and got one to open, the other eyelid looks like it's been cut.. It's now in the bathroom under a 100w bulb w/ reflector.... any suggestions on how to help this little thing out would be greatly appreciated by me and him/her :-)

Cochima, Don't cook the little thing, use a thermometer to measure 95f--no warmer or colder! I use a shoebox for the little ones, and if there is a lone chick, tape a little mirror to the side of the box for company. Paper toweling (over a piece of plastic) for the flooring, water in a tiny glass "salt" (the old fashioned kind that sets open, filled with salt for each person at the table ), but a deep bottle lid can be used for one chick. Sprinkle chick starter on the paper near the mirror. As soon as the poor thing gets over the trauma, you can decide its future--order some more of the same???, as a lone chick is not a lot of fun. Put an ad in the local shopping news or at the Feed Store, for a home??? Expect the wee thing to recover. Good luck, CJR

Thanks CJR,
I made some mash for it the first couple of days as it didn't move much, just cheep plaintively.. It likes mash.. although the first night, it must have fallen asleep with it's head bent down in the mash and now it's litle tuft is plastered to it's head.. looks like a punk rocker, thought of coloring it purple (only kidding!!) It's doing well, although lonely, even though there is a mirror taped inside it's box..
Question, would it do ok with a couple of baby turkys? I don't think I can put it back with the other chicks as I pull their feed in the pm.... thanks!

Cochima, Baby turkeys are pretty large. Is it a Bantam chick or a large fowl Polish?? Doubt it would be safe in the pen with the Cornish cross. But whatever you do decide, if it is to get an additional chick or two, it should be very soon, as size makes such a difference with acceptance, and you may find that your wee Polish is a bully with new chicks! Does your feed Store have chicks--maybe even Polish?? Good luck, CJR

CJR, I don't remember my Rocks being this small, it sure is tiny and weighs next to nothing.(teeny tiny poops!). I checked the feed store this morning and they have some americauna chicks and some australorp, both a bit bigger than the polish and I almost got a lorp but just did't know how well that would work and thought, that's all I need! Two in seperate boxes!! but if you think it might work, I'll try. I asked about the turkeys 'cause I have two - two week olds and they seem quite mellow. I thought it would be an interesting bond if it worked and the little thing wouldn't be so lonelly. If you don't think it'll work, I won't even try.. Thanks CJR, for your help in this delema. C

Cochima, My word is only suggestion. Your mellow turkeys may turn cannibal or?? You can try and observe carefully. All these birds are individuals, but when in a flock may all seem the same. Sounds like a bantam Polish. Size sometimes rules with chicks. So just go for what will work for you. With most things, we should never say never! Good luck, CJR

Well, the little bugger survived a whole week!! I tried putting her (I'm hopeing!) with the turkeys and they promptly pecked her on the head, so she went back in the box and into the closet. I never did find a chick small enough to be company so I compensate by spending a lot of time with her... She get's very excited to see me and is eating well so prognosis is good... If anyone is still reading this, would you know if I would be able to get her a friend in the future? will she be ok with other chicks? I can only pray she doesn't turn out to be neurotic!! Thanks for all the advice!!

I'm probably the only one still reading this but I had to give an update.. I found some week old barred rock pullets at our local feed store and brought one home for company. I have some 3month old barred rocks (I love 'em!)and figured an extra wouldn't hurt... well, the two of them are getting along great and do every thing together! The barred rock is a little heftier than the polish and will outgrow it soon I'm sure, but at least no one's lonely... maybe I'll do an add-on to this in the future....

Cochima, Good show! If they are good friends now, size may not make any difference as they grow. And believe me two is always better than one spoiled baby chick that doesn't know it is a chick and not a child! Best of luck! CJR

Hi CJR! NO SPOILED CHICKENS!!!! hehe.... new update.. The little pol started flying out of it's box in the closet so I moved the both of them back to the coop in a large tupperware container.. plenty of rooom to run and flap! She is feathering out quite a bit and the little rock is still cute and fuzzy. The two of them do everything together, it's quite comical and I don't mess with them as much as I used to when I was worried about them. They wern't too happy with all the other chicken sounds in the coop but seem to be adjusting (they arn't peeping quite so loud). So goes the saga....

UPDATE!! Well, the little buggers are now a month old and doing great! yesterday, the little pol and her pal the barred rock made it out of the coop on their own, picked through the grass and dirt and jumped up and down to see who could get the highest, the little pol won every time.. I've got to get pics of this an post 'em, they are just too cute!!!!
Hard to believe how she got here.......