UPDATE:
I have checked all of their toes again, and they seem to have corrected themselves. So that is good!
The chick that hadn't known how to walk is now walking and getting around fine. Also good!
The chick that had almost bled out is doing very well. I am not even sure which one she is anymore. LOL
PROBLEMS:
We have one chick (Peekaboo) that is being very aggressive. He was the first to hatch, and was in the brooder for many hours before I added the other chicks. When we put Miracle in there, he literally began trying to eat her. It was completely disturbing. Obviously we separated them. After the other 4 chicks hatched I put them in with Miracle, which worked great. She went right over and layed down with them and they were just chummy right from the get-go. I figured that Peekaboo was being strange because Miracle was still damp from hatching and looked more like an alien than a chick when I put her in there. So I waited for the rest of the chicks to dry, and then tried adding Peekaboo back. It seemed OK at first, but then he started pecking at them, aiming mostly for the eyes. He hasn't drawn blood, so I have not permanantly separated him. Whenever he takes a stab at one of the chicks I tap him on the head and separate him for about 5 minutes before adding him back in. I have not left them since I put them in there, so there is no fear of a picking problem that will mot be quickly resolved by myself, but I would much rather them just get along darn it! LOL. Is there anything else I can do to keep the peace?
Also, the 4 most recent chicks are completely dry, but not completely fluffed. I think that there is a thin layer of membrane on them still, but am not sure how to remove it. Will they remove it themselves, or should I wet them and try to get it off myself?
LOL. I am just not sure of anything right now. Mom went to bed around 11:30 last night and I have been up with the chicks since then. So I am pretty much on my own in terms of decision making until probably around 6 or 6:30 this morning.
Does anyone have any ideas??
I have checked all of their toes again, and they seem to have corrected themselves. So that is good!
The chick that hadn't known how to walk is now walking and getting around fine. Also good!
The chick that had almost bled out is doing very well. I am not even sure which one she is anymore. LOL
PROBLEMS:
We have one chick (Peekaboo) that is being very aggressive. He was the first to hatch, and was in the brooder for many hours before I added the other chicks. When we put Miracle in there, he literally began trying to eat her. It was completely disturbing. Obviously we separated them. After the other 4 chicks hatched I put them in with Miracle, which worked great. She went right over and layed down with them and they were just chummy right from the get-go. I figured that Peekaboo was being strange because Miracle was still damp from hatching and looked more like an alien than a chick when I put her in there. So I waited for the rest of the chicks to dry, and then tried adding Peekaboo back. It seemed OK at first, but then he started pecking at them, aiming mostly for the eyes. He hasn't drawn blood, so I have not permanantly separated him. Whenever he takes a stab at one of the chicks I tap him on the head and separate him for about 5 minutes before adding him back in. I have not left them since I put them in there, so there is no fear of a picking problem that will mot be quickly resolved by myself, but I would much rather them just get along darn it! LOL. Is there anything else I can do to keep the peace?
Also, the 4 most recent chicks are completely dry, but not completely fluffed. I think that there is a thin layer of membrane on them still, but am not sure how to remove it. Will they remove it themselves, or should I wet them and try to get it off myself?
LOL. I am just not sure of anything right now. Mom went to bed around 11:30 last night and I have been up with the chicks since then. So I am pretty much on my own in terms of decision making until probably around 6 or 6:30 this morning.
Does anyone have any ideas??
