Baby chick forgot how to chick! Please help! Im crying!

[Emojikitten]

Hey! My baby chicken, Henrietta, got poop all over her butt and forehead, so I decided to wash it off with a washcloth. I wiped the poop off her forehead and her butt and dried her off with a towel. I put her back in the cage with a heat lamp and she started screeching at the top of her little chicken lungs and staying in one spot. She's nice and dry so I don't know what to do... I put her on a heating pad on low for a couple minutes and wrapped her in a towel, but she is still screeching and not moving. I don't know what to do and I'm crying right now. I don't want my baby Henrietta to die or get sick. Does anyone know whats going on and what to do? Please answer as soon as possible...

 

[lazy gardener]

How old is she? Did you use hot water?

 

[Emojikitten]

Shes about 5 or 6 days old. I used medium-temperature water, like the kind you would put a baby in. She finally opened her eyes, but she refuses to move and shes still chirping.

 

[1 acre willows]

Pick her up and gently pet her chest and comfort her. Had this problem last weekend with a new chick. She'll quiet down and be fine. Go be mom, they like that sort of thing....

 

[Emojikitten]

Update - She's moving a bit and she is being a chicken again. Thanks for all your guy's help!

 

[sylviethecochin]

I'd guess she's chilled, especially if she was moving around alright before you washed her.

Next time, try to wash it off by softening it with coconut oil or shortening, if you can. That way you're not sapping out all her warmth. Water absorbs heat rapidly, meaning that it takes it from the chick.