Tiny loud chicks!

[LLvida]

Hey friends! I hatched a few chicks that were from a feral hen. They are extremely tiny, the eggs were tiny, but the hatch out was successful.

However, they have not entirely fluffed and we’re on day three, they have some stuck egg yolk feathers on their back and one has it on their head.

I have never had such loud chicks in my life! I am concerned that I’m not seeing them eat although I’ve made mash and tried to offer tiny pieces of starter crumble as I’m worried they’re just too small to eat the regular crumble…they peck around and at each other so maybe they are ingesting something?

They just continue to sit under each other and scream! Brooder is at 91.

My questions are, do I need to try and loosen up the egg feathers? I’m worried this will stress them even more! I have an area they can go to be undercover, but they don’t want that! I feel like aMy questions are, do I need to try and loosen up the egg feathers? I’m worried this will stress them even more! I have a area they can go to be undercover, but they don’t want that! I feel like a mom with a newborn who just won’t stop crying, no matter what I do!

 

[sourland]

I'd increase their heat source - giving them ample space to find that area which most suits them.

 

[LLvida]

Thank you! How hot is too hot??

 

[LLvida]

I increased the temp to 97/98 and they are more active but not quieter! I cleaned the egg yolk and shell off gently with a warm toothbrush and they are more fluffy…not completely fluffed though

 

[LLvida]

These chicks won’t stop pecking each other. I have never seen anything like it from litter-mates. They seem unable to find all of the food courses around them and are constantly pecking each others toes or beaks. I am constantly intervening…this is so unusual for me!

 

[LLvida]

I would love to add video but can’t seem to attach a video

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Upload video to YouTube, Vimeo or such, then post link here.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Have you dipped their beaks first in water, then in their crumbles?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Just put their starter crumble in a single dish they can access, maybe put a marble or two in it to attract them to it. Are they drinking?

 

[LLvida]

Things seem better finally! I put some shredded paper in the corner and it seemed to act like “scratch” and helped the chicks notice the food crumbles everywhere. It was hilarious. They also love the “o” type on all pieces of shred.

They found the water very quickly
Which is great. Hoping tomorrow they will pick on each other less and chirp a bit less…it was a trying day!