Nonstop crying

[PDXchickenmom]

Hi chicken people! I have two 3 week old BOs. Both appear very healthy. Growing like weeds, eating and drinking well, very active. They are in a brooder kept at 85-90 degrees with a red heat lamp (yes, I have tried adjusting the heat). One chick won’t stop crying at night. I’ve checked her over (so many times) and there isn’t anything obviously wrong with her. She’s slightly bigger than the other chick, but nothing else seems different. I let them out multiple times a day to play and move around, yet she won’t stop crying in the brooder. I’m worried something is wrong but I can’t figure out what it is. I offer to hold her but she doesn’t seem to want to be held. Do I just have a cry baby? Or, do we think something is really wrong? I’m stumped and worried. Any advice? Thoughts? Ideas? Thank you!! (Also, please don’t tell me I shouldn’t be raising only 2 chicks. I live in the city and I can only add two more right now.)

 

[Sally PB]

Can they get to a cooler spot in the brooder? 85-90 seems warm for 3 weeks old. You mention that they're eating and drinking; do they have appropriate sized grit as well?

Just throwing out ideas.

@azygous, can you help here?

 

[azygous]

I'm going to tell you that chicks at three weeks do not require any heat at all during the day. Turn off the heat. And they only need maybe 75F at night, if that.

Now, the sound chicks make when they are in distress really cannot be called "crying". They do chirp non-stop when they are in distress.

Things that can cause that are constipation cramping and hunger. Are the chicks able to access their food? Be sure it's not so deep their tiny beaks aren't reaching it.

If the poops are scant and scarce, constipation could be the issue. The chick would be squatting and straining, and the vent may be swollen. If you discover this, give the chick coconut oil slightly chilled to make it easy to shove bits into the beak until you get one teaspoon into the chick.

If the chicks have been getting things to eat besides chick feed, they need chick grit. Lack of grit to digest food will lead to constipation.

 

[PDXchickenmom]

I think you both are right. I think it’s just a little too warm. They are just now right at 3 weeks old. I reduced the heat and so far so good. It’s been very cold the last few days and I think I over compensated. They’re eating fine and have access to chick grit. They also have lots of time outside of the brooder without supplemental heat during the day. I think it’s just too warm for them at night. Thanks for your suggestions!

 

[aart]

I think you both are right. I think it’s just a little too warm. They are just now right at 3 weeks old. I reduced the heat and so far so good. It’s been very cold the last few days and I think I over compensated. They’re eating fine and have access to chick grit. They also have lots of time outside of the brooder without supplemental heat during the day. I think it’s just too warm for them at night. Thanks for your suggestions!

Are they in your house or outside in a coop or .....??
How cold is "very cold"?

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