Baby Bantams Won't Leave Plate...

[jbcheer]

I have 11 one day old bantams and they have slept in a big huddled ball under the heat plate and haven't come out once. Not to eat or drink. Not at all. When you lift the heat plate they really huddle together. Its against there back and warm. Is this normal?

 

[theoldchick]

They might be too timid to leave the protection of the plate or the air is too cold for them. Chicks can do without food and water for a day or two but I like them to be moving around and acting like chicks as soon as possible. You might have to encourage them by scattering a bit of chick starter around them and using your finger to move the crumbles about. Keep water close to them. Remember, chicks may huddle under the hen for a while before she decides to start foraging. She then talks to the chicks and uses her beak to show them what to eat. Let see a picture of your set up so we can offer suggestions.