Incredibly Needy Baby Chick!

[lena_]

One of my hens went broody and hatched quite a few eggs. I found the nest, and it still had several eggs and three chicks. SHe had abandoned it in the early hours of the morning. I presumed the chicks were dead and I was going to bury them, until when I picked up one of them it moved! I bought it inside and popped it in the brooder and I waited with it the entire time.
It's now four days old and it is sooo needy. It's in my regular brooder setup that I have never had an issue with but it just screams until I give it attention. It has food, water and heat. It refuses to eat on it's own, I have to tap the feed dish and make a clucking noise to get it to eat. It just screams and screams until I pick it up and cuddle it.

I have never had a baby chick this needy before, it's adorable, but still a huge pain in the butt.

 

[sourland]

It is lonely and imprinted on you. Try giving it a mirror for 'company'.

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Sadly your chick is very lonely. Chickens are social / flock creatures so it is screaming for either mommy and/or other chicks to come to it. Honestly, if you're going to raise one- what is the harm in two- you should hit TSC or local farm store and get another chick. That said, this one will also likely grow up to be incredibly friendly since you are handling it so much.

Also... what better excuse for chicken math than this?!? I mean it needs another chick... go for it!

 

[Birdie mom]

That is so sweet and probably so annoying! I agree with @BaaKaaawk, she is lonely and wants a friend. Why have only one chick when you could have two! Or even better 5! The more the merrier!

 

[lena_]

Unfortunately I'm high risk for COVID-19 (I has severe asthma and breathing issues) so I'm unable to get abother baby. I have an old mirror toy that I used to give to my lorikeet, so I'll see if the little guy chills out if I give him that.

 

[maica1x]

I have 2 baby chicks and one of them does the same thing! Everytime i or one of my family leave the room and it cant see a human, it chirps louder and louder. Very exhausting. The other one doesnt do this and is quite content.