Last Friday I had a hen come home with 8 chicks. This morning there were only 7, which I know happens. Especially when mama stays outside the coop at night and I have no idea where she is nesting.
But there are 2 other chicks that weren't scratching or milling around with mama like the others. They were about 5-6 feet away from mama and the other 5 chicks. I was able to walk right to them and pick them up. They didn't "cry" like baby chicks do and were very quiet. Only chirped a few times. And mama didn't even notice.
I have them inside in a makeshift brooder (plastic tote with straw, chick feed, water, and a heat lamp). I was able to get them to drink some water, but other than that they are just standing there with their eyes closed, like I found them outside. When I pick them up they will chirp a bit, I tipped them up to insect their feet (that was when they really chirped). The feet look fine. One of them has some poo stuck to its butt (going to clean it off with a wet paper towel unless there is another suggestion?)
At this point I am not sure what else I can do to help them survive. What else should I do? Any tips or pointers would be greatly appreciated.
But there are 2 other chicks that weren't scratching or milling around with mama like the others. They were about 5-6 feet away from mama and the other 5 chicks. I was able to walk right to them and pick them up. They didn't "cry" like baby chicks do and were very quiet. Only chirped a few times. And mama didn't even notice.
I have them inside in a makeshift brooder (plastic tote with straw, chick feed, water, and a heat lamp). I was able to get them to drink some water, but other than that they are just standing there with their eyes closed, like I found them outside. When I pick them up they will chirp a bit, I tipped them up to insect their feet (that was when they really chirped). The feet look fine. One of them has some poo stuck to its butt (going to clean it off with a wet paper towel unless there is another suggestion?)
At this point I am not sure what else I can do to help them survive. What else should I do? Any tips or pointers would be greatly appreciated.