2 min readfrom Raising Chickens or Other Poultry for Eggs, Meat, or as Pets

Is the behavior concerning?

Our take

Welcome to the world of chick care, where every peep can be a cause for concern! It sounds like you’re navigating some clucky challenges with your new feathered friends. After losing one chick and noticing another displaying lethargy and odd behavior—like hawk sitting and being unresponsive away from the heat source—it’s understandable to feel worried. Your proactive approach with yolk and vitamins is commendable, and it’s great to hear she’s made a turnaround after getting some warmth. However, the pecking behavior from her broodmates raises questions about their dynamics. Is it curiosity or bullying? Your instinct to consider separating her is wise, especially if she’s vulnerable. Let’s dive into some husbandry tips and behavior norms to help ensure your chicks thrive!
Is the behavior concerning?
Is the behavior concerning?

It is day 3 of having these chicks, we received them via mail Tuesday morning at one day old from a well known hatchery. We lost one within the first 10 hours another had begun hawk sitting and acting slightly lethargic on day two so we gave yolk with vitamin b, selenium, and vitamin e. She was found this morning away from heat source nearly unresponsive after being placed back with heat she made a 180 turn around I’m not sure why she was all alone in the cold but I am very concerned. Since arrival their water has had electrolytes and probiotics by sav-a-chick. She seems to be making progress but in this video you can see her slip fall then get stuck on her back the other chicks in the brooder begin to peck at her in what looks to me a quite aggressive manner. This is the first round of chicks I’ve ever had on my own so any advice on husbandry changes, behavior norms, ect. would be greatly appreciated. I worry I might need to separate her to prevent more bullying or if this is more a curiosity thing the other chicks do. Luckily my husband works night so I was able to call him and help her up she’s a bit wobbly but otherwise seems alright I will give her more yolk and possibly separate this evening depending on replies. I’ll include a the video of her falling and our current brooder set up. This morning I added a ceramic heat bulb in addition to the heat plate on the other side of the brooder in case there was too much cool space. Other than that the brooder is exactly the same as the video.

Thank you to anyone who read this novel i’m afraid the over explaining and babbling is hereditary and can’t be helped.

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Tagged with

#chicken behavior#bird behavior#chicks#brooder#hatchery#bullying#yolk#hawk sitting#lethargic#heat source#chick care#vitamin b#selenium#vitamin e#behavior norms#husbandry changes#separation#electrolytes#probiotics#ceramic heat bulb