Chick died, now survinving one won't stop chirping loudly

[sayccrn]

Hello guys! I am new to chickens. I just got my first two about a month ago, and got two more chicks on Thursday. Yesterday, the one baby chick just up and died. Now, the surving chick is besides herself. I've tried everything. The two older chicks are outside now during the day. What finally got her to sleep last night, was a little stuffed animal and two of the air activated hand warmers, and a heating pad under her side of the brooder(which is a chewy box). But now, a new day, and her older sisters are now outside (we live in GA and it's low 80's), she's chirping loudly again. She has the same heat sources, I think she's just lonely. and wants to snuggle, cuz she'll stop when I hold her, but we've got two cats and I can't hold her all day. Plus, I feel like I will hurt her, or she will wiggle and be dropped. I tried taking her outside, but all she wanted to do was be next to me. I knew it wasn't warm enough, but I thought she missed her sisters, and it's really warm in the sun here. Even though they are separated in the box with hardware cloth, and the bigger chicks are actually afraid of her. I tried to find another chick yesterday, but no luck. I drove an hour only to find out I had to buy 4, my closet is not big enough for 4 more. I am going back to the place I got them tomorrow to see if they still have some from her batch, so I can get her a snuggle buddy, but if they don't I will have to wait for their next batch on Thursday. If I have to wait til Thursday, I was going to get two more. But what can I do for her til then? Is there anything else I can do to help her? It's just heartbreaking.

 

[Stipenvlerk]

I’m so sorry for your problems. Seems like you try to do what you can! But maybe you can put a little mirror inside the brooder?

Welcome to BYC!

 

[kyleen]

I’d get her a friend. She could be cold. Having two chicks in the brooder keep each other warm and comforted. In my experience, loud chirping is due to cold and discontent.

 

[sayccrn]

I’m so sorry for your problems. Seems like you try to do what you can! But maybe you can put a little mirror inside the brooder?

Welcome to BYC!

A mirroe! Yes, I will try that for sure! Thanks!

 

[sayccrn]

I’d get her a friend. She could be cold. Having two chicks in the brooder keep each other warm and comforted. In my experience, loud chirping is due to cold and discontent.

Yes, as I stated, I couldn't find one late on saturday or today. I am going back to the place I got her tomorrow to see if they may have some left from her batch, but if not, then I have to wait to thursday.

 

[BunnyEberhart]

We had two silkies and one died. Her sister was so sad. But we thankfully have a bigger flock. They took care of her. It was clear she was very upset and they all cuddled up to her. Even the ducks. They had a kennel that they went into at night to sleep when it was still cold outside. We have cats and that was the best way to keep them safe till they got bigger. You can see little China in the corner and all her brothers and sisters helping her cope. I had no idea birds would get so attached to eachother. Now they are bigger and she still loves to cuddle her family. And they all let her get as close as she wants. I hope your little one can cope and i hope you have luck finding her another sibling to cuddle with.

 

[Lori J]

Perhaps you can keep the older chicks inside with her? When she is more attached to them, you can put her out with them it outside and she might feel more comfortable. I had a similar thing happened with a 2-3 month old. It lost its friend. my big hens were too large and scary for it. I had some chicks that were three weeks old and so I put the older one outside with them during the day. At night I keep them in sight of each other but in separate areas. I watched the older one to make sure he wasn’t causing any damage to the younger ones and it seemed fine they just pecked each other a bit(not viciously there was no damage) but mostly just hung out. it really helped the older one to adjust and now he is pretty attached to the younger chicks.

 

[Guernsy]

Hello guys! I am new to chickens. I just got my first two about a month ago, and got two more chicks on Thursday. Yesterday, the one baby chick just up and died. Now, the surving chick is besides herself. I've tried everything. The two older chicks are outside now during the day. What finally got her to sleep last night, was a little stuffed animal and two of the air activated hand warmers, and a heating pad under her side of the brooder(which is a chewy box). But now, a new day, and her older sisters are now outside (we live in GA and it's low 80's), she's chirping loudly again. She has the same heat sources, I think she's just lonely. and wants to snuggle, cuz she'll stop when I hold her, but we've got two cats and I can't hold her all day. Plus, I feel like I will hurt her, or she will wiggle and be dropped. I tried taking her outside, but all she wanted to do was be next to me. I knew it wasn't warm enough, but I thought she missed her sisters, and it's really warm in the sun here. Even though they are separated in the box with hardware cloth, and the bigger chicks are actually afraid of her. I tried to find another chick yesterday, but no luck. I drove an hour only to find out I had to buy 4, my closet is not big enough for 4 more. I am going back to the place I got them tomorrow to see if they still have some from her batch, so I can get her a snuggle buddy, but if they don't I will have to wait for their next batch on Thursday. If I have to wait til Thursday, I was going to get two more. But what can I do for her til then? Is there anything else I can do to help her? It's just heartbreaking.

I am so sorry that happened to you. I am pretty new to chickens too. When I picked up my first batch of chicks I was told to get at least three or more, so that if one dies it would not be alone. I think you are doing the best you can with your situation. Can you put a warm water bottle or warmer into the stuffed animal so she can cuddle with it until you can find her a new mate? I agree to the mirror, my chicks love the mirror, some old CDs or DVDs work wonders too and they won't break if they peck at them.
Here is another weird one, long shot.....We lost a guinea pig due to old age and her partner got immediately depressed to the point that she stopped eating (which is rare for a guinea pig). We put her in a sling, like a baby and carried her around with us until we were ready to introduce her to a new partner. I know, it might be difficult to carry a tiny chick in a sling. Maybe you have a big basket that you can keep warm with blankets and carry around with you, so it can see and hear you. That way you can supervise in case your cats get curious too. I have a friend that carried her chick around in a basket since it was little and now it lives in her house, lol. Anyway, just some ideas. Hopefully, you can find another chick, that is probably the best solution. Wishing you all the best.

 

[sayccrn]

Awww...so sweet. I was hoping the slightly older chicks would take her under their wings, but they just stare at her through the hardware cloth and then when I put her with them, they turn in the corner freeze as if they are saying: maybe she won't see us if we don't move) when that doesn't work and the little chick is going from one to to the other, trying to get their attention, they will literately climb over each other to get away from her. I just spent an hour on the couch with her while the cats were napping on the porch and locked out. She was quiet. then back in the box, she's so loud and climbing on top of anything she can to try and jump out of the box. I don't think she's cold, I think she's lonely.

 

[sayccrn]

I am so sorry that happened to you. I am pretty new to chickens too. When I picked up my first batch of chicks I was told to get at least three or more, so that if one dies it would not be alone. I think you are doing the best you can with your situation. Can you put a warm water bottle or warmer into the stuffed animal so she can cuddle with it until you can find her a new mate? I agree to the mirror, my chicks love the mirror, some old CDs or DVDs work wonders too and they won't break if they peck at them.
Here is another weird one, long shot.....We lost a guinea pig due to old age and her partner got immediately depressed to the point that she stopped eating (which is rare for a guinea pig). We put her in a sling, like a baby and carried her around with us until we were ready to introduce her to a new partner. I know, it might be difficult to carry a tiny chick in a sling. Maybe you have a big basket that you can keep warm with blankets and carry around with you, so it can see and hear you. That way you can supervise in case your cats get curious too. I have a friend that carried her chick around in a basket since it was little and now it lives in her house, lol. Anyway, just some ideas. Hopefully, you can find another chick, that is probably the best solution. Wishing you all the best.

Yeah, I don't think I can do that, I already feel like I will crush her. I just had her out of the box and she was snuggling me, and I twitched cuz i was falling asleep. I thought I crushed her. So, I don't think I could do that. The cats can only stay locked on the porch for so long before they too start going bonkers!