Are tired baby chicks something to worry about?

[The Mother Hen]

I need to know if my tired chick who hatched today is something to worry about. She is a mixed breed and drinks fine but refuses to touch the food. My other chick, another mutt, digs right in and eats as much as she wants. I was wondering if it's normal for a chick to be sleepy after hatching, because I never had a really sleepy baby before.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Probably nothing to be concerned about. I've had tired babies too the day of hatch. It is a LOT to go through all that pipping out.

A chick's body has enough reserves from the egg yolk absorbed so that it does not need food for about 3 days.

The chick is drinking, which is good. Add some Poly-Vi-Sol or Chick-Saver to the water which helps a lot on hatch days to reinvigorate tired chicks.

Just keep a watch. Probably tomorrow it will be up and running around. You'll know in a day or two if this is "birth" fatigue or illness or weak chick.

Lady of McCamley

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

^^Good advice.

Best of luck to you and your chicks!

 

[The Mother Hen]

Probably nothing to be concerned about. I've had tired babies too the day of hatch. It is a LOT to go through all that pipping out.

A chick's body has enough reserves from the egg yolk absorbed so that it does not need food for about 3 days.

The chick is drinking, which is good. Add some Poly-Vi-Sol or Chick-Saver to the water which helps a lot on hatch days to reinvigorate tired chicks.

Just keep a watch. Probably tomorrow it will be up and running around. You'll know in a day or two if this is "birth" fatigue or illness or weak chick.

Lady of McCamley

Thank you so much for the advise! Where can I find the said additives for the chicks, does IFA carry it?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Thank you so much for the advise! Where can I find the said additives for the chicks, does IFA carry it?

You can find them at any feed store...which I presume IFA is...not familiar with that in my neck of the woods.

I prefer the Sav-A-Chick which is specifically for poultry.

You can even get it on Amazon...but the shipping wouldn't be worth it unless you are placing an order already (or it takes that much gas to get to the feed store).

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail....-9B7F-E211-BA78-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA

Good Luck,
Lady of McCamley

 

[donrae]

I second Lady's advice. The chick has had a very long day! plus, it "ate" a whole egg yolk just before it hatched, that will keep it full for a good 2 days or so. Just watch it and see how things go.

 

[The Mother Hen]

Thanks Donrae! They actually are doing much better, even the one that wasn't able to absorb it's egg yolk.