3 day old chick sleeping too much???

[lindsayinbastrop]

I have a 3 day old bantam variety who has been asleep in the same spot all day.

I picked her up a few times throughout the day but she keeps going back to the same place and falling asleep. Her face is almost buried in the shavings and my husband and I picked her up again a few minutes ago and she went to a different place (pretty much right where we set her) and lied down instantly and was asleep. She was chirping when we were holding her and sitting up but I just don't know if she is sick or if this is normal behavior? She is the smallest one out of all our chicks so I have been keeping a close eye on her. Any information would help! Thanks!

 

[kcravey]

is she alone? I had a "runt" hatch and I like to wait for them to get on their feet before putting them in the brooder with the others. She just laid there for 24 hours and never got up unless I nudged her. I finally put her in the brooder and the others kept pecking at her to get her up. Today I cant tell which one she was. She's been in the brooder now 2 days. The first day I wasnt sure she was going to make it but all is well now!

 

[lindsayinbastrop]

No we have a total of 9. We got them all on the same day. 3 Americaunas, 3 assorted Bantams, and 3 Ideals...The one who is sleepy is the bantam and like I said she is so tiny compared to the others! She has no pasty butt, I've seen her eat and drink (not today) but I just don't know if it's normal or something I can do to wake her up??

 

[lindsayinbastrop]

Well- update- Squirt passed away tonight in my hands as I was trying to syringe feed her sugar water. She tried to take it but was just too weak and collapsed in my hands. She was splayed out and completely limp. I am so sad- my first loss and my favorite baby so far. I wish the feed store had told us they needed sugar.

 

[ybmagpye]

Awww... I'm so sorry you lost Squirt. You know, it's amazing you spotted her out of the others to begin with. Birds are good at putting on an act of being OK, so predators (and the rest of the flock) don't pick them out. Think of Squirt as having valently given her life to teach you what to look for in new chicks.

Good health, strong feathers and loads of eggs from the rest of your chicks!

 

[lindsayinbastrop]

Thank you so much. That is a wonderful way to look at it. My husband keeps telling me it's ok and I did my best and not to be upset but I just was so determined for the smallest girl to make it. I cried and cried with her in my hands but I think I will be okay. I am so glad I noticed so I could try to help her. Thanks again for your encouragement.

 

[kcravey]

awww im sooo sorry! Your first loss - oh how horrible! I wont go near a dead chick/chicken now cuz I know how bad it "feels" for the rest of the day once you have touched them. I make DH do it now so I wont have a terrible day.

 

[kcravey]

ok Im learning from your loss,.... I have my first SHIPPED eggs on the way. I bought some powder a few months ago you can put in the chicks water for better health and energy or even chickens starting to get sick. I am getting that out and going to give it to my hatched chicks on the next batch. I know what you mean about being so determined about them. I get a sick animal and just want to do everything I can to make them better. Its horrible when they die after all that care you've given them

 

[lindsayinbastrop]

Thanks KC. My husband works nights and unfortunately won't be home for another 12 hours. I called him during my sob-fest and he gave me the courage to do it. I think I will feel better if I do it. Maybe not. I guess we live and learn. I have to know, though.

This kind of stuff always happens when he is not home!

 

[kcravey]

We had one die from this last batch also. The "runt" I was telling you about was one that had pipped but did not break out so I delivered it (I know, big no - no, but it has always worked for me, so far). These eggs were already 3/4 days late as it was and everyone else had already been born. Another egg had been rolling and chirping for days and wasnt being as active and I didnt want to lose it either but it had not pipped yet. My DH said they pipped their late eggs growing up and told me if we didnt do it , it would surely die since it was already weakening. So I let him "pip" it. He used a butter knife. I delivered it after that and it had herniated and the fluid got in her nose . Oh it was horrible! she lasted about 3 minutes before she died

Lesson learned though - no more pipping eggs for them! If they cant pip - .....then... they werent meant to be. I dont want to do that again!