My husband is going to kill me!

[jswalker]

So, we are new to chicks and I got 2 new EE yesterday. They are sweet and 5 days old today. Last night the poor chick chirped ALL night. It has food, water, heat lamp at 95 and there is no draft. It will stop as soon as i pick it up, its almost like its lonely, although there are 2. Any ideas why? What can I do to put them at more ease? Thanks for the help!!

 

[mrslb333]

Sometimes they take a while to settle you could try a soft toy in with them to act as a mother type comforter and see if it helps

 

[jswalker]

I had something in there with them and it didn't seem to help. I think they want to be with the older chicks, but then they get picked on

 

[newchik715]

they will settle down. sometimes they are real chirpy for a day or so and then they calm and settle. give them some time and see. if everything is clean and warm for them then they just need time to adjust

 

[wegotchickens]

Can you pick a really calm, sweet older chick and add that to the 'newbies' brooder?
I usually take the youngest/smallest of my older batch and put it in with the 'newborns' when I'm running the incubator. The older chick shows them all about eating and drinking.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Is it getting too much light? meaning white light? I have my chicks in the basement (old, yucky, dirt everywhere) and I make sure they get the white light off for half of every day so they will sleep.

 

[johnschiks]

I throw some grass clipping in with mine and they keep themselves pretty entertained.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Get a feather duster. Hang it so it dangles in the brooder, about 1/2 inch from the floor. Chicks love, love, love to cuddle with the feathers like a momma hen. I hang mine in the outer edge of the heat, so it is still warm for them.

Grass clippings are fine, but be sure to give the chicks a dish, bowl or small container of sand or grit. I give all my bator hatched chicks a container (sandwich sized) of sand at 3 days of age. Chicks will scratch and peck thru the sand/dirt and start to bathe in it - as new growing feathers are itchy.

 

[Diamond Wire Farms]

I also often move the older "runt" in with the younger crowd. In my mind it gives them more confidence.

Right now I have a bunch of banties that literally think some 3 week old turkey poults are their mothers. I'll let you know how that turns out later!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mmmaddie13]

I think you need more...

My chickies are good enough enablers themselves, they just need me to take pictures of them and share them with unsuspecting victi- ehh.. Err.. I mean.. Fellow chicken lovers.