Well, they're here. I'm not sure my heart is cut out for this. They were supposed to ship 26 and they only shipped 21. 8 were DOA and one died as I was putting it in the brooder. Only five were able to stand. Several looked practically dead and just laid on their sides. I dipped all beaks in the water and have been giving drops of sugar water by syringe to the ones doing poorly. I've also put a bit of honey on the end of their beaks per McMurray's suggestion.
All are now on their feet except two but they are at least upright (sitting on their feet). Many look brighter and a few of the "sickies" have joined the gang of 5 and are starting to peck at the food on the paper towels. I'll go back in another 20 minutes and give water to the sickies again. Only 3 look big and healthy and are running around the way I would expect baby chicks to. I know they all need some time to recover from the shipping but I really don't know how many are going to make it. It just makes me heartsick (I'm sorry- I know I'm being a ninny). Right now, they're practically all sleeping which is giving me a heart attack but I know they need some rest.
I have identified at least some of the DOA but I have several breeds who are chipmunks and I can't tell the difference between them so I don't know what I do and do not have right now. I also don't know what they shorted me.
I will post pics later when I know they've turned the corner. I know that I had to expect dead chicks but 9 out of 21 makes me feel terrible. I'm so glad my daughter won't see them until she comes home from school. Hopefully, some will be doing better by then.