Chick Won’t Sleep, or Stop Chirping

[Cjchickens]

I have a lil chick that hatched about 4-5 hrs ago and it’s been very energetic and vocal. I expected that to only last a couple minutes max, but it’s been going on since hatch. It’ll start to fall asleep and it’s body will relax for like 3 seconds and then it’s back up and wobbling around and chirping. I’m a little worried. I’m trying my best to keep it warm and comfy but it won’t relax... this is the first chick I’ve ever hatched. The incubator is completely a DIY one. I’m concerned and not sure what to do...

 

[Northwest_Wannabe]

When are the rest of the chicks due to hatch? Is there any others currently hatched? How warm is it in the brooder, do you have a thermometer?

 

[Mellowmalt]

ok so there are a few possible reasons for this, the most likely is that it is lonely looking for other chicks and yes they are persistent when it comes to chirping.

It could also be weak, if it isn't able to walk well it needs to eat and ideally needs vitamins added to the water till it can walk, once it can walk it can then self thermoregulate and will be much happier, once it starts eating and gaining energy he should quieten down but it won't happen instantly.

I am also wondering if you have an appropriate brooder to raise it and if there are more chicks than just the one.

You say incubator, does your incubator have a fan by any chance? This is another thing I discovered recently, having too much air circulation can freak them out to the point of them not eating properly and crying, Turn the fan off and they settle right down.

Temps in the first week are vitally important especially for weak chicks they can easily be kept at 92-95F

Has he got access to food and water