So I have 4 day old Bantams, mixed. One is clearly the runt, I could see this from the start. He is REALLY TINY. In just four days I can see the others have grown, and he looks smaller than ever. He's trying to hard to hang on though! So here's what's happening with him and my brooder. I would appreciate any advice. (I saw another post where someone said "all the runts die" and I really don't want to think negatively like that, so please keep it helpful not gloomy. I'm really trying to think positive for this little guy and I personally believe all your positive thoughts help.
Here's what Tiny is doing ( I THINK he is a Silkie)
Other than being crazy small, he doesn't ever sit or lie down! He's always either standing, and then wakes himself up when he starts to fall over, or he's wondering around. When he wanders around he's unstable on his legs, sways a lot, and seems to charge the other chicks. I think he's trying to get close to them, maybe for heat or comfort, but all he does is scatter them, and thus, ends up standing alone a lot.
He was eating and drinking, then yesterday Pasty Butt started (only with him). So I've been torturing the poor thing trying to keep his bum clean and I think the stress and water (albeit warm) might be wearing him out. I try to dry him off the best I can before I put him back of course. So now, as of the last 24 hours, I don't see him eating. I saw him drink a couple of times. I made him take some sips of sugar water a few minutes ago.
The eating thing is odd. He seems to follow the others to the feeder like he wants to join in, but all he does is either get excluded OR he butts them around and accomplishes nothing. He is not getting picked on however.
My ex boyfriend (still my friend) lives in the city and has never seen a chicken in his life. He said "maybe he's too cold", and although I'm tempted to ignore anything he says as far as animals go, lol, that did get me thinking. Here I am judging the brooder temp not so much on the thermometer, but on the general behavior of the chicks. They seem fine, not over huddling at the light, but not scattered either. So I had lost track of the exact temp since they seemed fine. I checked it earlier, and it was like 85. Thinking about how people said to go by their behavior and not the number, this hadn't concerned me before. But now I'm thinking about little Tiny. To her, it might feel much colder than it does to the other chicks!
So I tried to rearrange the light, which is tough because of the location. I finally ended up with the light on the inside of the brooder instead of above it, shining semi-sideways to the end where they mostly hang out. The temp is now at about 100 degrees. This seems high to me, yet they seem fine. They are not avoiding the light.
So to summarize (sorry for the long story), I guess I'd like advice on:
1. What things can I do to help Tiny?
2. Is 100 degrees too hot or fine as long as they seem okay with it?
3. Any advice on how to keep Tiny warmer without cooking the others? (if the coldness is even what's wrong with her, I don't know).
Thanks for reading all this and for any advice. I haven't gotten any sleep because poor Tiny cries all night, except when I hold her. I'm stressed, worried, and exhausted!
Here's what Tiny is doing ( I THINK he is a Silkie)
Other than being crazy small, he doesn't ever sit or lie down! He's always either standing, and then wakes himself up when he starts to fall over, or he's wondering around. When he wanders around he's unstable on his legs, sways a lot, and seems to charge the other chicks. I think he's trying to get close to them, maybe for heat or comfort, but all he does is scatter them, and thus, ends up standing alone a lot.
He was eating and drinking, then yesterday Pasty Butt started (only with him). So I've been torturing the poor thing trying to keep his bum clean and I think the stress and water (albeit warm) might be wearing him out. I try to dry him off the best I can before I put him back of course. So now, as of the last 24 hours, I don't see him eating. I saw him drink a couple of times. I made him take some sips of sugar water a few minutes ago.
The eating thing is odd. He seems to follow the others to the feeder like he wants to join in, but all he does is either get excluded OR he butts them around and accomplishes nothing. He is not getting picked on however.
My ex boyfriend (still my friend) lives in the city and has never seen a chicken in his life. He said "maybe he's too cold", and although I'm tempted to ignore anything he says as far as animals go, lol, that did get me thinking. Here I am judging the brooder temp not so much on the thermometer, but on the general behavior of the chicks. They seem fine, not over huddling at the light, but not scattered either. So I had lost track of the exact temp since they seemed fine. I checked it earlier, and it was like 85. Thinking about how people said to go by their behavior and not the number, this hadn't concerned me before. But now I'm thinking about little Tiny. To her, it might feel much colder than it does to the other chicks!
So I tried to rearrange the light, which is tough because of the location. I finally ended up with the light on the inside of the brooder instead of above it, shining semi-sideways to the end where they mostly hang out. The temp is now at about 100 degrees. This seems high to me, yet they seem fine. They are not avoiding the light.
So to summarize (sorry for the long story), I guess I'd like advice on:
1. What things can I do to help Tiny?
2. Is 100 degrees too hot or fine as long as they seem okay with it?
3. Any advice on how to keep Tiny warmer without cooking the others? (if the coldness is even what's wrong with her, I don't know).
Thanks for reading all this and for any advice. I haven't gotten any sleep because poor Tiny cries all night, except when I hold her. I'm stressed, worried, and exhausted!
