This review is kind of late, but I hope you appreciate it anyway.
Referring to the whole story and not to this chapter in particular, I want to say that what I like the most about it is how you are successfully bringing back the realism and the emotions that characterize the first Ice Age movie.
In the first chapter, you said "I do not own Ice Age. If I did, movies 2-5 would have turned out very differently."
I couldn't agree more. While I think the first two sequels aren't bad, I can't say the same about Ice Age 4 and 5.
They are full of modern references and sitcom clichés, but lack emotional moments and the animals are humanized too much.
I didn't think it was possible to "save" the franchise, but you did it, even if you are writing an alternate universe and not a sequel.

I love how you are developing every character, even those who don't have a proper problem, like Crash and Eddie. In your story, unlike in Ice Age 4 and 5, they are not just comic reliefs.
There are many characters, but we can focus on each one of them, something we couldn't do in the last two sequels.

One thing I would like to suggest you is to have a good reason for which Buck has been stopping the dino-birds from stealing eggs. I mean, in Ice Age 5, the dino-birds take the eggs to eat them. Preventing them from doing it would be the same as preventing Diego, Shira and Merle's pack from fishing. Why should a creature that has to eat other living beings to live be condemned to starve to death?
And, most importantly, why is Buck the one who stops them? He is a carnivore too, weasels eat meat.

I can't wait to see other characters we know being introduced, such as Granny. You said that she was going to appear later on, like Buck did, if I have understood correctly.
If you decide to include Brooke, or someone else, as Sid's love interest, I would suggest you to remember that he, in the first movie, said that mating for life was stupid.
In the fifth movie, he is desperately looking for a girlfriend, but we don't know why, when and how he changed his mind, it was never shown in the previous sequels.

Keep up the good work! I can't wait to read the next chapter. :)

This chapter was amazing! All the details and the characters personalities were on spot! Can't wait for more! :)

This story is great so far! I'm excited to see where this story goes! Quick question but do you plan on adding the dino birds in your story?

Please next chapter

Fantastic Story.