Would love to get some advice. I have five 10-day old chicks being raised by a broody hen. They have their own smaller coop and a separate little run area. This past weekend they went outside with mama for the first time. All have been very active and lively up till now. But last evening I noticed that the little Buff Orpington wasn't running around as much or chirping like the others. She will run after the group when mama clucks, but spends more time standing still and a little hunched. This morning I scooped her up to check her vent, which was perfectly clean. I don't see any respiratory symptoms or other signs of illness, just less activity than the others. When I had her cupped in my hands, she really hunkered down and settled in. So I'm wondering if she could just be cold? My hen is very attentive to her foster babies, but she wanders around the little yard with them versus sitting still and letting them crawl under to warm up. The others seem just fine with this. I'm wondering if I should separate this one and put her back in the tote with the mama heating pad set-up I used the first day I got them. It would make sure she was staying warm, and I can make sure she's getting some fermented feed with extra vitamins and electrolytes in the water. But I also don't want to distress her or cause a problem with her going back to the group later. Thoughts?
