Baby chicken won't stop crying unless held

Marcy74 · 2022-07-15T09:08:44-0500

Hello we have a hen that constantly goes broody so decided to try letting her hatch some eggs, she was not able to but stayed broody after 21 days, we put some eggs in the incubator and only 1 ended up hatching out of the 3 eggs.

The baby does still have an umbilical scab. After the first day I went and bought 2 similar aged babies so it's not alone. It cries all day unless held or is placed in a little hand bag and carried around. It's 3 days old and could care less about it's friends. We did hold it most of the first day, but it seems so attached that it's in distress whenever we put it down. It pooped its first liquid poop since hatching and has lightly picked at feed and drink. Not sure how to handle this situation.

Battlepants · 2022-07-15T09:46:18-0500

It is likely bonded to the humans as the first living thing it saw. Likely just needs time to bond to the other chicks. Less access to the human can help to hurry this process along. It's going to be difficult, but this tough love is needed unless you are willing to live in the coop with the chickens.

Beyond that it may be worth reviewing the basic needs:
*Food and water - Sounds like eating and drinking is happening. Sometimes the new ones don't figure out the food and water on their own, but as long as one of them is eating and drinking, the others will typically figure it out by watching.
*Heating and cooling - I try to set up a hot and cold area in the brooder by putting the heat toward one of the corners. Then depending on where the chicks hang out, I determine if there is enough heating or too much heating. Clustered around the heat is likely cold, pressed as far from the heat as possible is likely hot, some chicks just kinda randomly around is about right.
*Pooping - Would be a good idea to check if the chick is passing waste properly, and the waste looks normal. I know you mentioned umbilical scab, but would be a good idea to confirm that the vent itself is clear too.

Marcy74 · 2022-07-15T10:42:57-0500

Battlepants said:
It is likely bonded to the humans as the first living thing it saw. Likely just needs time to bond to the other chicks. Less access to the human can help to hurry this process along. It's going to be difficult, but this tough love is needed unless you are willing to live in the coop with the chickens.

Beyond that it may be worth reviewing the basic needs:
*Food and water - Sounds like eating and drinking is happening. Sometimes the new ones don't figure out the food and water on their own, but as long as one of them is eating and drinking, the others will typically figure it out by watching.
*Heating and cooling - I try to set up a hot and cold area in the brooder by putting the heat toward one of the corners. Then depending on where the chicks hang out, I determine if there is enough heating or too much heating. Clustered around the heat is likely cold, pressed as far from the heat as possible is likely hot, some chicks just kinda randomly around is about right.
*Pooping - Would be a good idea to check if the chick is passing waste properly, and the waste looks normal. I know you mentioned umbilical scab, but would be a good idea to confirm that the vent itself is clear too.

Thanks for the reply. We spoil the hens so maybe we will move it in the house. Just kidding but i could see us trying. I was worried it could die of stress so we have been holding it when it's chirping since it's so young. It chirped fur hours non stop last night. It's in my hands right now sleeping.

Baby chicken won't stop crying unless held

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