Day old lone chick

[amethyst12]

Hi, everyone. My daughter, an animal lover, received a very small incubator for Christmas. A friend gave us a couple of chicken eggs to hatch. One turned out to be infertile, but the other hatched out yesterday. He is now in a brooder under a heat lamp, but seems to be sleeping A LOT. I am worried that he may be dying. How will I know if he is okay? Before he went to sleep last night, he was cheeping like crazy unless he was being held, but now seems almost lifeless.

 

[Chickmagnet36]

Loud cheeping usually means that they are cold. What temp is the brooder?

 

[sumi]

Newly hatched chicks do sleep a lot at first. What is your brooder temperature? Newly hatched chicks need a brooder temperature of around 95* (can be a bit lower) and it will be happier with another chick or two for company. They don't like being alone, which could explain the cheeping.

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

Chicks are very social animals, and best not kept alone. Until you can find another chick for a companion, place a stuffed animal in the brooder to snuggle with.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!!

Glad to have you aboard!!

 

[amethyst12]

Thanks, everybody. I had a pet chicken when I was a kid, but I didn't get her until she was almost a week old, so I have been a little concerned. I checked the brooder temp, and it was only 85. I messed around with the lamp and a heating pad until I got the temp to 95. Twinkle Toes seems much happier now. It still sleeps a lot, but also runs and jumps and eats! I think we are okay for now. as for buddies, my friend also gave us some duck eggs that will hatch Wednesday or so. Twinkle Toes will have some duckling buddies. I hope they get along.