One chick won’t come out from under hen

[Emrosenagel]

I’ve got three two day old chicks. Two of them come out often to eat and drink, but one (smallest) practically never comes out. When the hen stands and displaces it, it will peck around a bit but not much, preen a bit, and then instantly go back under. Is this normal?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Whatever one experiences should be considered normal. Nothing is cookie cutter. Every creature is unique and how it responds to the world is as well. This is especially true of hatchlings. Perhaps it is just too frail and may possibly be unable to thrive. This too is normal. Not all creatures are meant to survive.

 

[ChicNmom]

They can go 3 days without food and water. You may need to introduce it to food and water after that if it 's mother or sibling haven't taught it.

Sometimes you get a slow learner. Or it could have a problem.

 

[Emrosenagel]

It doesn’t seem to have any problem running or flapping its little wings (or biting its mamas wattles!!) But it just isn’t eating as much as the other two and hasn’t figured out water yet. It’s itty bitty, but I think it is a micro serama, so it doesn’t worry me.

 

[ChicNmom]

Yo might want to dip the very tip of it's beak in water to show it what to do. I always make a feed mash with chick starter and water. They seem to like it and I feel it helps with hydration.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

It doesn’t seem to have any problem running or flapping its little wings (or biting its mamas wattles!!) But it just isn’t eating as much as the other two and hasn’t figured out water yet. It’s itty bitty, but I think it is a micro serama, so it doesn’t worry me.

that sounds like health chick behavior. Maybe being smaller it’s colder than the others, or seeks shelter and protection under the hen. ? I would not worry until 3 days. You shouldn’t have to help teach the chick to drink bc it will learn through imitation.

 

[Emrosenagel]

that sounds like health chick behavior. Maybe being smaller it’s colder than the others, or seeks shelter and protection under the hen. ? I would not worry until 3 days. You shouldn’t have to help teach the chick to drink bc it will learn through imitation.

I do have them inside the house, so it may be a bit cold. It finally took a drink by itself, but still likes to hide.

 

[Emrosenagel]

Update - the chicks are 2 1/2 days old now and the little one is a bit more active today. I see it eating more now, not as much as the other two piggies, but more than yesterday. I never see it drink though, besides from that one time yesterday. I’ll give it a bit more time before I intervene and teach it how to drink.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I doubt that will be necessary as long as clean water is easily accessible.

 

[Emrosenagel]

I doubt that will be necessary as long as clean water is easily accessible.

the little cutie figured everything out by itself. I just tend to worry about things before there’s even a problem! Now all three of them are zooming around, being piggies and bothering their mom