Hi, I have 4 week old cockatiel chicks. This is my first time and the parents first time too. One chick is teenie tiny compared to the other three. I thought maybe he wasn't getting fed but his crop was full when I looked. I picked him up to take a look because he also keeps wandering far away from the rest of the babies. I noticed he has a huge red lump or growth on his belly. Is there anything I should try to do for the baby or do I just let nature take it's course. I also noticed the parents seem to take a long time away from the chicks, is that normal? Thank you so much for any advice you can give.
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Help with one week old chick....
- Thread starter jtequida
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OrangIsld
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Zara
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What is a long time?
Is it warm in the room?
It is the main reason amongst newly hatched chicks, yes. Theoretically the youngest chick should be the smallest.
If it is not, then the smallest chick could be stunted or have some other serious health problems and survival chance would be low.
As time passes, the size difference between the chicks won't be as noticeable if everything is ok.
As said above, a picture would be helpful. I would also send a photo to your avian vet for them to take a look at and decide if it is something serious and weigh up the risks of taking the chick to the vet.
Ugh so I just typed a whole thing and it disappeared lol! Thank you so much for your responses! Much appreciated. I am attaching pics but when I looked at the other babies that are much bigger than this one in question, they all seemed to have huge stomachs/or a growth! I'm totally new to all this and am only used to baby chickens and quail who are totally self sufficient from day one! Maybe it's a normal stomach situation? This baby is tiny compared to the other three. But I do remember there being another egg that may have not hatched so maybe he is just really that much younger. The oldest one already has his eyes open! With the chickens they all hatch same day pretty much and are all the same size. Maybe I'm just panicking thru lack of knowledge.I hate to sound like a moron in this area but apparently I really am! It was hard getting the pics so I hope you can tell from what I got? Thank you again for all your sage advice, Joanna
Zara
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He seems ok but needs fed ASAP when the crop is so flat like that.
The last chick has a very full crop. You want the crop full, but not bulging. So if you have to step in and handfeed, fill it a little less than that last picture. If in doubt, feed a little less. You will have to feed the bird again slightly earlier but it is better than accidently overfeeding and then stretching the crop. Weight the chick on an empty crop in the morning, then feed 10% of that chicks weight for that day.
The crops should have something of food in all through the day. Let it reduce down, then feed when there's just a little in there before it empties completely. Then once per 24 hours the crop should be allowed to completely empty like the crop of the first chick picture above. Best time for this is overnight.
The next day, reweigh the bird and adjust the feeding quantities for the day as the bird will now weigh more and so there feeding will be ever so slightly more.
You can feed a little over the 10% if you feel the crop looks quite flat or not full and the chick is still wanting food, but be mindful of not overfeeding.
To put your mind at ease a little, when eggs are laid, the hens usually start to incubate after a couple of eggs. Meaning those first chicks hatch very close together, and then there's a day gap more or less between the others. So the elder chicks often looks more similar to each others size over the newer chicks size.
Another contributing factor is by the time the little ones hatch, the elder chicks are bigger and will take the first food from the hen. If she is not experienced, she could easily be feeding the little one less than they should be getting because the elders are eating everything they can. Another reason to keep a close eye, and supplement some food where needed.
Please keep posting if there's anything else you're wanting to know. Formula prep etc.
The last chick has a very full crop. You want the crop full, but not bulging. So if you have to step in and handfeed, fill it a little less than that last picture. If in doubt, feed a little less. You will have to feed the bird again slightly earlier but it is better than accidently overfeeding and then stretching the crop. Weight the chick on an empty crop in the morning, then feed 10% of that chicks weight for that day.
The crops should have something of food in all through the day. Let it reduce down, then feed when there's just a little in there before it empties completely. Then once per 24 hours the crop should be allowed to completely empty like the crop of the first chick picture above. Best time for this is overnight.
The next day, reweigh the bird and adjust the feeding quantities for the day as the bird will now weigh more and so there feeding will be ever so slightly more.
You can feed a little over the 10% if you feel the crop looks quite flat or not full and the chick is still wanting food, but be mindful of not overfeeding.
You're not a moron. A moron would sit back and leave the birds to fend for themselves at whatever cost. You are here and trying your best to care for them.
To put your mind at ease a little, when eggs are laid, the hens usually start to incubate after a couple of eggs. Meaning those first chicks hatch very close together, and then there's a day gap more or less between the others. So the elder chicks often looks more similar to each others size over the newer chicks size.
Another contributing factor is by the time the little ones hatch, the elder chicks are bigger and will take the first food from the hen. If she is not experienced, she could easily be feeding the little one less than they should be getting because the elders are eating everything they can. Another reason to keep a close eye, and supplement some food where needed.
Please keep posting if there's anything else you're wanting to know. Formula prep etc.
OrangIsld
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I second this, birds are such a big world and we're all learning, even Zara
Thank you so much for all your help! I was gone all day today but when I got home I checked and his crop was well full! I picked up some formula while I was out just in case I need it. He just does not seem to be growing very much compared to the others. Maybe he had been missing out on feeds because of his tiny size but is managing better now that he's slightly stronger.
When I asked about the parents being out of the box for extended times you had asked if the room was warm. I was thinking about it and I had actually covered the box with a blanket cuz I was worried they were cold. Maybe I should take it off because it is too warm? As I mentioned before, I'm used to raising baby chickens who need it very warm. But I guess that's because there's no mother to warm them. Should I put a thermometer in there, does it need to be a certain temp? I'm not sure how long the parents stay out of the box, it just seems a long time to what I thought.. I guess my concern is based on my perception of what I thought was supposed to happen, which is that one of them would always be sitting on the babies. But they both come out and eat for ages and then just hang out. Maybe it's all just very normal. But I am a little worried now that the room may be too warm.
When I asked about the parents being out of the box for extended times you had asked if the room was warm. I was thinking about it and I had actually covered the box with a blanket cuz I was worried they were cold. Maybe I should take it off because it is too warm? As I mentioned before, I'm used to raising baby chickens who need it very warm. But I guess that's because there's no mother to warm them. Should I put a thermometer in there, does it need to be a certain temp? I'm not sure how long the parents stay out of the box, it just seems a long time to what I thought.. I guess my concern is based on my perception of what I thought was supposed to happen, which is that one of them would always be sitting on the babies. But they both come out and eat for ages and then just hang out. Maybe it's all just very normal. But I am a little worried now that the room may be too warm.
Baby is growing! So I guess everything is good. He looks different from the others, they are getting dark pin feathers in. He doesn't seem to be getting any. Is it possible he could be bald?
And his eyes are red too. I do remember reading something about red eyes cockatiels. I will have to Google it!
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If he grew slower, he could get his feathers a little later.
I had a lovebird chick grow very slowly and her feathers came in much later, she had baby fuzz for longer but eventually her feathers did grow in and you would never know now looking at her. Hopefully they will come for your chick too. Just monitor it, look for progress.
Well he is totally different from the others. they are the basic gray and white but he is going to be either white or yellow. He has red eyes and his feathers are very light colored. The tuft on his head is coming in yellow for sure. His feathers are coming in now but he looks weird compared to the others being so dark and him so light colored. But he seems to be doing well. Thank you!
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So glad he is gorgeous
Zara
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No fuzz at all? 
When a chick has no fuzz or feathers, remember that they need their brooder temp a little higher as they cannot regluate their own body temp and can get "chilled". Are parents still tending to this chick?
When a chick has no fuzz or feathers, remember that they need their brooder temp a little higher as they cannot regluate their own body temp and can get "chilled". Are parents still tending to this chick?
OrangIsld
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also consider watching for soreness or rashing - sometimes hens will pluck their babiesNo fuzz at all?
When a chick has no fuzz or feathers, remember that they need their brooder temp a little higher as they cannot regluate their own body temp and can get "chilled". Are parents still tending to this chick?
Yes, the parents are still taking care of them and seen to be doing a good job!No fuzz at all?
When a chick has no fuzz or feathers, remember that they need their brooder temp a little higher as they cannot regluate their own body temp and can get "chilled". Are parents still tending to this chick?
Oh wow I did not know that! I will keep an eye out thank you
