Shy Plymouth Rock Chick

[PastaChickenBoo]

I have a Barred Rock chick - her (we're not sure yet) name is Louise. She has always been shy. When our other chicks go to play in the other part of our brooder, she just hangs behind. Is this normal, or is she mentally ill?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Every chicken is different. Some like doing their own thing.

 

[aart]

Not sure 'mentally ill' is an option.

Like OHLD say some birds are loners.

If chick is eating/drinking/popping/active as normal......nothing really to worry about.
She may be low bird, or she may be ill.
More info might get you a more specific answer.
How old are chicks, how big is brooder, etc.

 

[PastaChickenBoo]

@aart Louise is three weeks old, and she eats and drinks normally with the other chicks. She's just really shy. Our brooder is two joined, large cardboard boxes with a red heatlamp.

 

[Mrs. K]

I hate to rain on your parade, but I would emotionally brace myself. Maybe she is just shy, but I would expect a death. Many times, I might loose a chick in the first day or too, and then they will be good, but once in a while, I just loose one a couple of weeks later. They have often acted as you describe.

Is she the only bared rock? Is she much smaller than the other chicks? Those could be reasons, she is not active with the others, but I don't really think so.

Chicks are naturally inquisitive, and healthy chicks are pretty rambunctious. I have not quite 4 week old chicks, all different kinds and they are just constantly on the go, or passed out flat in a patch of sunlight.

Mrs K

 

[PastaChickenBoo]

I hate to rain on your parade, but I would emotionally brace myself. Maybe she is just shy, but I would expect a death. Many times, I might loose a chick in the first day or too, and then they will be good, but once in a while, I just loose one a couple of weeks later. They have often acted as you describe.

Is she the only bared rock? Is she much smaller than the other chicks? Those could be reasons, she is not active with the others, but I don't really think so.

Chicks are naturally inquisitive, and healthy chicks are pretty rambunctious. I have not quite 4 week old chicks, all different kinds and they are just constantly on the go, or passed out flat in a patch of sunlight.

Mrs K

I know. We think she MIGHT die, but we're hoping for the best.

 

[the chickentaco]

A sad possibility. You may get lucky though,one of our rirs is just naturally really catious and layed back. We thought she was sick at first and thought wed wake up to a dead chick but nope perfectly healthy if not simply a little more quiet, slow to respond and run around like a crazy thing, we thought she was gonna be down those first few weeks but it never happend

 

[the chickentaco]

Our Rhodey then..

 

[the chickentaco]

And now! She's come out of her shell some

 

[PastaChickenBoo]

And now! She's come out of her shell some

Yeah. Louise hasn't been acting lethargic or anything (as far as I know), but when the other chicks go to the other part of the brooder she just stays on the perch, doing nothing and preening (I think I contradicted myself there). I'll try to get a pic.