Are my chicks over eating?

[n8ivetxn]

Hmmm, well, I'm not sure what part of the country you live in....Maybe bring them in at night or put the brooder lamp on just a small section of the cage, so they can enjoy a little warmth if needed...

If your concerned about their health/stress levels, you can go to the feed store and get some "rooster booster" vitamins and electrolytes that mix in the water, or give a little yogurt (probiotics) for the tummy.... also, at the feed store, they sell "Probios" probiotics you can mix in the water....my vet recommended it for any puny animals, he loves it....

I'm sorry about your loss, that's really tuff....I hope the remaining little ones do ok

 

[Campesina]

I thought sugar was not good for chicks???
Also if the dog crate has big enough slots a cat can stick their claws in and get them...one pulled a chick out in pieces.
I wrapped our brooder pen with 1/4" plastic, (1/4 inch squares) too small for a cat to get through.
Good luck until you can fix them a proper coop and run.

 

[n8ivetxn]

I've never heard that sugar was bad for them, on the contrary, I think it might encourage them to rehydrate a little, plus some calories for one that isn't eating. However, I have read something about using molasses to encourage bowel movements, that was news to me....

My chicks are too frightened of everything to get close enough for an animal to reach them. Fortunately. That would be horrible. Hardware clothe would be good preventive, too....

 

[Panth]

In small amounts, sugar can actually be a good energy booster for droopy chicks, I personally use some along with Pedialyte whenever I get shipped chicks or if they are not looking active. I've actually giving watermelon to young chicks as a way to get some sugar in their system, the red color makes them want to peck at it. If your chicks are small enough to not have their full head feathers in, they really shouldn't be out freerange yet anyhow. Depending on how warm it is there, they should still be able to access some supplemental heat.

 

[n8ivetxn]

Watermelon is great! I've been giving mine some muskmelon - can't find watermelon here, yet..... Mine are / will stay in the brooder box until they are fully feathered, I wouldn't be in a big hurry to put them out..... Our weather in western Washington is awful, even for humans.

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

I've always put chicks out around 3/4 weeks old as long as it was a large group.
Right now I have the 3 remaining in a dog crate outside during the day and coming in at night because there aren't enough to keep each other warm. I know everyone has their own way of doing things when it comes to animals. I like getting them out to get bugs as soon as I can.
Also when these chicks were 2 weeks old they kept hiding behind their water dish to get away from their light. I switched it down daily trying to keep them from over heating and then just finally took it away which made them happy. Why give them a source of heat if they are going to hide from it?