Noisy chick question

[Ekemp]

Hello! Yet another first time chicken owner here, and so paranoid I'm going to miss something! We have 7 little chicks in our indoor brooder (one of those zip up puppy pens), and they are almost a week old. It has a brooder plate plus a room heater (we don't have whole house heating, so the room heater keeps their space about 75 degrees). I did electrolytes for the first two days, but only clean water since. They were not vaccinated, so medicated food. Two questions:

One of my chicks has had pasty butt three times. I'm able to clean her really well and she gets a bit of poop out before I dry her put her back in the brooder, but is there anything else I should be aware of? Do some chicks just get it repeatedly for a bit and then grow out of it?

Secondly- I have one bird who has been squacking loudly a few times this morning. They have fresh water and food, and her booty looks nice and clean. I picked her up and didn't see any other obvious issues. Every time i hear her, I walk over and talk to her and she looks at me for a while through the brooder before wandering back to her food. Is she just trying to get my attention? Could she be a rooster? I've heard they tend to be more inquisitive and noisy. I know it'll be a bit before I can sex them for sure, but was wondering if this was normal for the ladies or if it could be a hint. I'll attach a picture of the noisy lady (or gent?) in case that's helpful. Plus they're awfully cute.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Do some chicks just get it repeatedly for a bit and then grow out of it?

Absolutely. Just went through this with one of ours. I've heard it can take 7-10 days for repeat offenders.

Every time i hear her, I walk over and talk to her and she looks at me for a while through the brooder before wandering back to her food. Is she just trying to get my attention?

THIS IS TOTALLY A THING! They sucker me over, thinking they're cold or forgot how to eat. Nope. It's just that no one was watching! You're a pseudo mother and they look to you for reassurance. Both of my chick batches have done this, probably because we're very hands on with them from the get-go.

 

[Ekemp]

Absolutely. Just went through this with one of ours. I've heard it can take 7-10 days for repeat offenders.


THIS IS TOTALLY A THING! They sucker me over, thinking they're cold or forgot how to eat. Nope. It's just that no one was watching! You're a pseudo mother and they look to you for reassurance. Both of my chick batches have done this, probably because we're very hands on with them from the get-go.

Thank you for the reassurance!!! Every time they're loud, I get worried. Every time they"re too quiet, I get worried. This things are gonna be the most spoiled chickens.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Thank you for the reassurance!!! Every time they're loud, I get worried. Every time they"re too quiet, I get worried. This things are gonna be the most spoiled chickens.

It's hard not to worry when they're so little. You'll feel a lot better once they're flying around like maniacs in a couple weeks. Also, I don't think the drama correlates to being a rooster. I had two Australorp chicks like this, one of whom NEVER shut up (the one in the my photo), and both turned out to be hens. Very loud hens.

Btw, your chicks are so adorable! What breed is that?

 

[sean_wonder]

I too made a panicked post about how my chicks would scream when I was not around. It happens lol. I’m hopping on just cause I’m also curious what breed they are… super cute, congrats!

 

[Ekemp]

It's hard not to worry when they're so little. You'll feel a lot better once they're flying around like maniacs in a couple weeks. Also, I don't think the drama correlates to being a rooster. I had two Australorp chicks like this, one of whom NEVER shut up (the one in the my photo), and both turned out to be hens. Very loud hens.

Btw, your chicks are so adorable! What breed is that?

When I picked them up the store had ordered three breeds, but one didn't arrive. I got some Barnevelders and then one other breed, but honestly I'm not sure which! She is either a Black Australorp or Barred Plymouth Rock. Maybe it's an Australorp thing, though!

 

[Ekemp]

I too made a panicked post about how my chicks would scream when I was not around. It happens lol. I’m hopping on just cause I’m also curious what breed they are… super cute, congrats!

Thanks!! She is either a Barred Plymouth Rock or and Australorp. I can't remember which I picked up, I need to call the store and ask! I have three of these guys though, and they are very chatty!

 

[Yardmom]

Sometimes chicks are more seseptible to pasty butt when they don't have a place to cool down. 75 is not hot, but it could be cooler. The brooder plate is like a mother hen that they go under when they need to warm up. They don't need it warm everywhere. I've had hens raise chicks in the coop during winter. Chicks only go under mom every once in a while to warm up.

 

[Ekemp]

Sometimes chicks are more seseptible to pasty butt when they don't have a place to cool down. 75 is not hot, but it could be cooler. The brooder plate is like a mother hen that they go under when they need to warm up. They don't need it warm everywhere. I've had hens raise chicks in the coop during winter. Chicks only go under mom every once in a while to warm up.

That's really good to know, thank you!! Our house gets down to 60 overnight, so I've been worried about them getting too cold. Maybe I'll scoot the heater a little further away and see if that helps!

 

[BackyardVillans]

It's hard not to worry when they're so little. You'll feel a lot better once they're flying around like maniacs in a couple weeks. Also, I don't think the drama correlates to being a rooster. I had two Australorp chicks like this, one of whom NEVER shut up (the one in the my photo), and both turned out to be hens. Very loud hens.

Btw, your chicks are so adorable! What breed is that?

My Australorp is a cry baby too lol she sounds so pitiful and loves attention!