Chick will not shut up!!!

[shelleyd2008]

No it doesn't have pasty butt. I'm not even sure if it does eat, I try to get it to by pecking the feed with my finger, but it doesn't act interested. I was thinking it was blind, until today, when it 'ran' away from my hand. I do have some chicks that are in a different brooder, but they are older, would it be all right to put it in with them? This chick is just a little bit bigger than the quail, and the other chicks are 6 2-w/o mille fleurs and 2 3- or 4-w/o standard chicks. I didn't want to since this chick is so tiny. I was afraid the others would moosh it.

 

[Chickie Mamma]

Is it possible to put just one of the bigger ones with it? I would be afraid they would crush the little one if there are too many. See if 1 would make a difference ?

 

[Debi214]

Quote:
You need to watch and see if it is eating. Hopefully it is just a little cold. What is the temp in your brooder?

As long as it is not sneezing or has a pasty butt or acts sick I would put it in with the bigger chicks now anyway. It makes it easier for when you need to introduce them.

 

[enola]

This may sound silly . . . . .

But if the chick is by himself, he may just be confused. He instinctively looks for companionship. Try putting him in a sock for a few minutes to see if he quiets down. My grandmother said that the pressure on the chick's back from the sock lulled them into thinking a "moma" was sitting on him.

The sock will also help to warm him if he IS cold.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
You need to watch and see if it is eating. Hopefully it is just a little cold. What is the temp in your brooder?

As long as it is not sneezing or has a pasty butt or acts sick I would put it in with the bigger chicks now anyway. It makes it easier for when you need to introduce them.

I have tried so hard to get it to eat, but I honestly don't think it is. I peck the feed with my finger, get my finger wet and have the feed stuck to it (they seem to love attacking my finger), anything I can think of, short of opening its beak and stuffing the food in its mouth. Is there any other tricks to getting them to eat?

The brooder temp is kind of tricky. I dont know which of the thermometers to believe. One says 93 and one says 88. I dont' want to have it too hot, but I don't want it too cold either. When I bump up the temp, the chicken chick acts better, but then the quail chicks act like they are hot.

Oh, and the chick is not by itself, it is in with some quail chicks. I think the other brooder would be too cold for this new baby, so that's why it's not in with them. That, and that this chick has curled toes and is wearing a boot. It doesn't get around too easily.

 

[enola]

Is there enough room so your quail can get away from the light in the brooder if they are too hot ????

 

[Debi214]

Ugh - you are going to have to baby this one. Sounds like it has a digestion problem. Are both the feet messed up?

 

[shelleyd2008]

Kind of, but the one foot is really twisted, like it walks on its knuckles? The other foot just doesn't sit 'flat'. It is open and all, but it's almost like there is a kink in the middle toe? if that makes sense.

 

[Debi214]

You said you have a boot on the one foot - what about the other so the middle toe doesn't stay curled? The temps in your brooder are fine as long as they can get out of the heat if needed. I am afraid this little one might not make it or may need to be............there I am saying it...........culled..............ugh!

 

[NancyDz]

Yea as long as the quail can get away from the heat source , I would err on the side of warmer for the chick. If it's not eating and it has health issues, it needs to be warm.
Can you put it by itself or section off an area closer to the heat for the chick, put a stuffed
animal in with it and maybe try some hard boiled egg to get it to eat? Be careful with dipping its beak in water too much or forcing food or water down it, that can end up getting food/water in it's lungs. I lost a chick I think due to that when I had my first chicks ever

'
I know some give plain yogurt too... not sure how young you can do that though....

Make sure the surface it's on is not slick, I know there are a lot of threads on here about leg problems in chicks.


Good Luck

Nancy