Stressed chicks?

[lynnbranch]

I picked up 3, two week old Ameraucana chicks this afternoon and they have me nervous because I haven't seen them eat or drink yet. They have been very sleepy and quiet. I did dip their beaks in the water twice so far to try and encourage them. I hand picked them myself. No red flags while I was selecting them. I'm just a little worried because the last time I had chicks at this age they were very active and noisy. Are they just stressed right now?

 

[Coyox]

I had a really quiet Isa brown about 4 weeks ago.. She was really lethargic too. I just kept a close eye on her, kept her separated and warm and she perked up after about 4 days. I think the feed store was hard on her. Now she's happy and healthy and bouncy!

If you think they might be sick just keep them separated from other animals and feed them medicated feed.


Hope your babies are okay!

 

[lynnbranch]

It's been about 7 hours since I've gotten them home and they are starting to peep a little and move around more. They also ate and drank a little. Hopefully tomorrow they will be used to their new surroundings and get more and more active.

 

[Coyox]

I'm curious if you bought them from a feed store? I'm new to buying chickens but I'm curious about the feed store experience verses buying them from a single person.

My feed store chickens seemed very shaken at first. Wondering if some kids had their hands in the brooder and scared the little things. I have a feeling this wouldn't happened from a farm?

Don't know... If anyone knows though I'd love to read your experiences.

 

[lynnbranch]

Interesting, I actually had the opposite experience. My new ones came from a backyard breeder. It was a sweet family that bred chickens. My previous ones were from a Feedstore that had ordered them from a Hatchery. I guess you really just never know!

 

[TLWR]

I'd let them settle in and then if they are still not doing much tomorrow, then I'd worry.

I used a local breeder this batch and have unfortunately had the worst luck with them.

 

[Coyox]

Interesting, I actually had the opposite experience. My new ones came from a backyard breeder. It was a sweet family that bred chickens. My previous ones were from a Feedstore that had ordered them from a Hatchery. I guess you really just never know!

Eeeeeeeee yikes. Lol. You both had problems with breeders? Now I'm scared hahaha...

I've only ever used feed stores and today I'm going to pick up some Marans from a breeder... Hope they will be okay!

 

[realsis]

Did you try scattering feed on the ground to encourage eating? This worked Great with my new hatched chick's. As soon as I recieved them (they had a long trip from Ohio to California) I scattered feed about the brooder, I dipped each beak then showed each bird (10 chicks) the ecoglow warmer. I felt very blessed as each chick drank. The feed scattered on the brooder floor worked great as they all started eating from the floor. I read in a chick raising book the scattered feed on the brooder floor encourages them to eat, it worked well. After they ate, I took each chick and placed them under the heating plate, I put my hand in front to block them from leaving until they felt the warmth. When they did feel the warmth, they snuggled under it and slept. You may want to try scattering feed about the brooder. With your chick's they likely need water desperately so I would try making a mash that consists of regular chick feed and water.this will help hydrate them while stimulating their appetite as well. I HIGHLY recommend using a probotic in their water to add beneficial bacteria into their starting systems. This will greatly help solid up their poops and jump start their system. I perfer a probotic with more different bacterial and I use Probios for Poultry. It works wonderfully for chick's and Adults alike! If they don't take to the mash you might consider taking each chick and using a eye dropper try to give water. Be careful not to be too forceful as you don't want it down the lungs.you can also try the dropper with the mash. Hope this helps and good luck with your new flock!!

 

[azygous]

That's a bit unusual for two-week olds to be stressed and lethargic. If the chicks haven't reverted to normal activity by now, I would get them on Poultry Nutir-drench to target any nutritional issues. I make a "weak tea" for my chicks using this formula for the first several days after I bring them home.

Also, part of the chicks' behavior may be due to the sudden change in their environment. Chicks resist change even more strongly than older chickens. This is a survival instinct - unfamiliar things can mean danger to chicks. They should settle in fairly soon as long as there aren't any health issues.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi Azygous, you beat me to it, Great post above!

Hi,

Baby chicks are delicate creatures, as we know. If you are getting any age chicks from any outside source they are going to be stressed adjusting to their new home. More so if they have been shipped from a hatchery to your pick-up place.
Chick's G.I tract goes thru huge development the 1st few days of life. The G.I.tract isn't finished maturing when the chick hatches. The chick must adjust to both additional tract development and carbohydrate loaded feed plus environmental stress at the same time. A nutritional supplement which does not challenge the developing G.I. tract with addition uptake requirements is an excellent idea. I use Bovidr Labs Poultry Nutri-Drench. It does not need to be digested. Mainlines directly into the bloodstream. Put it in their water till the water looks like very weak tea. For the 1st 2 weeks. No other supplements needed unless a probiotic is wanted. I have been using this supplement n my collies and poultry for over a decade. Never lost a chick or had a sick chick raised on Nutri-Drench water. http://www.nutridrench.com ( 850K birds aren't wrong, smile) Just buy the smallest bottle at Tractor Supply or your feed store. ( about 6.99) It's very concentrated and that bottle should supply needs for the whole brooding season.
Here's a thread on Travel Stress in chicks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/746509/how-to-deal-with-travel-stress-in-baby-chicks

Best Success,
Karen