Hedwig the head case! Mental chick!

[Coop's Coop]

We have week old or possibly older Silkie chicks we got from a very reputable breeder. They are both healthy and seem to have adjusted to our other two chicks, a Buff Brahma and a Speckled Sussex. Everone is getting along. The problem is Hedwig who seems to be emotionally fragile and weird. The other Silkie joins the others for feeding etc but Hedwig spends a lot of time crying in the corner on her own... loud repetitive peeps. Pathetic to see. She’s always trying to snuggle under the other chicks too. Luckily our Brahma seems to be motherly at just two weeks old. When I cuddle Hedwig in a towel she calms down and will sleep. She seems to be eating and drinking ok. Should I be worried about our little oddball girl? I even made her a feather covered tube she can cuddle with and get inside. Anything else I can do to comfort her?

 

[Junochick]

We have week old or possibly older Silkie chicks we got from a very reputable breeder. They are both healthy and seem to have adjusted to our other two chicks, a Buff Brahma and a Speckled Sussex. Everone is getting along. The problem is Hedwig who seems to be emotionally fragile and weird. The other Silkie joins the others for feeding etc but Hedwig spends a lot of time crying in the corner on her own... loud repetitive peeps. Pathetic to see. She’s always trying to snuggle under the other chicks too. Luckily our Brahma seems to be motherly at just two weeks old. When I cuddle Hedwig in a towel she calms down and will sleep. She seems to be eating and drinking ok. Should I be worried about our little oddball girl? I even made her a feather covered tube she can cuddle with and get inside. Anything else I can do to comfort her?

It sounds like she isn't warm enough, please check your thermometer.

 

[Coop's Coop]

It sounds like she isn't warm enough, please check your thermometer.

I would have thought that too but The thermometer says 92 and it’s 100F outside and we have no AC so I don’t think it’s heat related. She does this on the cool side of their box too.

 

[Junochick]

I don't have any other idea , she is eating,drinking and warm enough. She just might need the snuggle. She is still at the age she would be under her mommy. Maybe some other people will have some better answers.

 

[Coop's Coop]

I don't have any other idea , she is eating,drinking and warm enough. She just might need the snuggle. She is still at the age she would be under her mommy. Maybe some other people will have some better answers.

I increased the temp 2F so we will see if that helps. Maybe she's just a loner. I've put multiple bowls of food and water in their box so that she can access food if she feels intimidated by the others, who all tend to eat at the same time. Poor little chick.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I had a Silkie chick once that was VERY NEEDY, the peeping was non - stop & just wanted to be carried. Kept thinking it would "grow up", nope. A friend that's raised Silkies called him (turned out) "neurotic", ended up rehoming to a little girl that just wanted to cuddle something & her Mom didn't want a dog. Worked out great, they're best of friends. Good luck, you could also try a feather duster which mimics a hen.

 

[Junochick]

I increased the temp 2F so we will see if that helps. Maybe she's just a loner. I've put multiple bowls of food and water in their box so that she can access food if she feels intimidated by the others, who all tend to eat at the same time. Poor little chick.

How is the silkie baby doing today? I hope she/he is done with the crying.

 

[Coop's Coop]

Well I guess I’ll have to carry her everywhere then! Lol! She seems a bit better this morning and is eating a banana with the other girls. Buying a feather duster for sure! Thanks for the tip!

How is the silkie baby doing today? I hope she/he is done with the crying.

Thanks for asking. She had a 30 minute bout of crying this morning while I was getting the kids fed and off to school. Then I picked her and her sister up and held them close...she calmed down. She eats but not voraciously like the other girls do. I've got multiple food bowls in their box so she can get at them. Maybe she's just a bit neurotic and we just have to accept her as she is.

 

[Junochick]

How did your cry baby do today's? Eating,drinking,popping and happier when heald?

 

[Coop's Coop]

How did your cry baby do today's? Eating,drinking,popping and happier when heald?

She eats and drinks but not nearly as much as the others. Gave them some plain yogurt today and they all seemed to enjoy that. Bit of banana perked her up. They all have probiotics and electrolytes in their water. Poop looks normal. Still crying in the corner though. She settles down for a good nap when I hold her so I guess I'll just keep doing that. I ordered a feather duster for her to snuggle in.