Are chicks supposed to act like this?

[Pyxis]

I have 3 older hens but I don’t think all 3 of them are broody. It’s there a way my buff Orpington can rear in the chicks? Anyways, I’m not taking that chance of my chicks getting killed by the older hens.

No. Unless a hen is actively broody and trying to hatch eggs, she will not accept and raise chicks. Best case she would ignore them and leave them to freeze and starve to death. Worst case she would outright kill them.

 

[RedBreasted]

Okay my final thoughts. All these answers are great! But they’re not eating. I tried putting some scrambled eggs in my palm, they just looked at it and walk away. Also they’re sleeping and laying down a lot, I guess it’s pretty normal for them to sleep after hatching hours ago.

 

[junebuggena]

The box is too small. They need to be able to escape the heat. Piling as far from the heat as possible is telling you that they can't get far enough away from the heat. Overheating kills quickly. And ditto on getting rid of the rice. Not good at all, especially without any grit to break it down with. Water is more important during the first few days after hatching. The yolk contains enough energy to get chicks through a few days without food.

 

[All_my_peeps]

Baby chicks need:
Proper chick starter/water
Heat source (that they can come and go from)
Sleep

If you have met these needs and still have no improvements then add electrolytes to the water I’ve also used newborn vitamin “poly Vi sol” (the one with NO iron) it can be purchased at your local pharmacy.

A tip for the water dish is to add marbles it will ensure if the chicks stumble into it they won’t get soaked or drown.

 

[Nathaniel Walton]

Yes feed them eggs - they need protein and rice won't suffice for long. Will you be able to get chick mash soon?

 

[RedBreasted]

Yes feed them eggs - they need protein and rice won't suffice for long. Will you be able to get chick mash soon?

Tried giving scrambled eggs, their not interested. I’ll just get chick starter. I think like what used junebuggena said, since they’ve just hatched so the yolk has got them started for a only few days. I looked at their beak and it’s red, I think the egg tooth is coming off. Also they kept laying on the ground, I’m scared they’re gonna die or something. They’ve just hatched a few hours ago.

 

[Pyxis]

Tried giving scrambled eggs, their not interested. I’ll just get chick starter. I think like what used junebuggena said, since they’ve just hatched so the yolk has got them started for a only few days. I looked at their beak and it’s red, I think the egg tooth is coming off. Also they kept laying on the ground, I’m scared they’re gonna die or something. They’ve just hatched a few hours ago.

Were you able to get the bigger box or storage tub as recommended so that they can get away from the heat if they need to?

 

[Nathaniel Walton]

Tried giving scrambled eggs, their not interested. I’ll just get chick starter. I think like what used junebuggena said, since they’ve just hatched so the yolk has got them started for a only few days. I looked at their beak and it’s red, I think the egg tooth is coming off. Also they kept laying on the ground, I’m scared they’re gonna die or something. They’ve just hatched a few hours ago.

The laying down will most likely be to protect themselves from the heat, i think then need an extension where they can find the spot with just enough heat for their own delicate needs. Yolk should last 24-36 hours but they need real chick starter before that in an ideal scenario. Right now i would make sure they are drinking

 

[RedBreasted]

What a relief! I bought some chick starter, it has 18% protein and amprolium to prevent coccidiosis. Once I put some in the dish, they went crazy to eat. I forgot to buy a thermometer but question, can I turn off the heat lamp from time to time if I stick my hands in the brooder to feel if it’s hot enough? I also switched into a bigger box and used newspaper as the bedding. If I turn off the lamp, I’ll make sure to keep and eye on the brooder if it gets too cold.

 

[Pyxis]

What a relief! I bought some chick starter, it has 18% protein and amprolium to prevent coccidiosis. Once I put some in the dish, they went crazy to eat. I forgot to buy a thermometer but question, can I turn off the heat lamp from time to time if I stick my hands in the brooder to feel if it’s hot enough? I also switched into a bigger box and used newspaper as the bedding. If I turn off the lamp, I’ll make sure to keep and eye on the brooder if it gets too cold.

Leave the light on, they'll move away from it if they get too hot now that they are in a bigger brooder.

And switch out the newspaper for something else, either the bedding you were using before or paper towels. Newspaper is too slick for them to get a good grip on and can cause them to develop splayed leg.