I have 3, 2 day old New Hampshire Red pullets. 2 of them are doing great, but one just seems listless, has stopped eating and drinking water. She often just hangs out by herself, but her sisters kind of bully her when she tries to eat. I took the sisters out so she could eat in peace, but instead of eating she just started screaming, until I put them back in with her.
Can anyone give my some advice for a shy listless baby? And how can I get her to eat? I'm really afraid she's going to die if she doesn't start eating.
I got my new babies yesterday
That's a tough one - did you check her for pasty butt? If she has poop stuck to her butt, and she can't poop any more, that could make her feel yukky. Listless is a bad sign and I've lost a few who have behaved that way. Make sure she is warm enough, you could try warm (not hot) oatmeal to see if that will entice her to eat.
My last batch had the pasty butt as well(warm water on a napkin, keep on the 'problem area' to loosen, and peel off gently) Sometimes the little fuzz comes w/ it but it will prevent the problem again.
Have you added any sugar to their water to help perk them up?
Oh the poor little thing. Those are all exellent suggestions. I hope all goes well with the little baby.
Another thought, what kind of feeder do you have for them? To help abit w/ the bullying, try sprinkling their chick starter on the bottom of the brooder so they can have more room to eat( I usually start them off w/ paper towels for them to run around on-easy to change the paper every day and you can scatter the crumble around) Or set-up a couple little feeders so they can't bully her out.
I just clean pasty butts buy running their lil behinds under warm water.. works great! Just make sure the water is warm.. not hot..
What about sprinkling some boiled egg yolks all around.. I've stuck my hand in there to "guard" them while they eat when they are getting pushed away..
Good luck!
Thank you all for your advice. She did die. But the other 2 little ones are strong and healthy. They come when I call them, and jump on my foot, just to touch base. then go back out to explore. Since we have wild foxes in our neighborhood, I have been trying to convince my German Shepherd, Chow mix to protect them. I almost had her convinced until one of them pecked her on the nose. She ran into the bathroom, and has been looking funny at them ever since, lol.
Sorry to hear about the little chicky. I'm glad the other two are doing well.
Awww.. too bad.. I'm sorry for your loss too...
I know that "check in" run oh so well.. and it's the sweetest feeling in the world!! So cool to hear "new moms" with their babiez.. :)