Baby Chicks Arrived!

[AUChickenGal]

I thought they didn't eat and drink at night? I refilled their saucer twice throughout the night and it was almost empty this morning - so was their food.

Do you have a light on in their room? They shouldn't be active in the dark.

It's possible your chick wasn't "scared" but cold (you mentioned trembling). Maybe she couldn't find the heat source and that's why she was cheeping/trembling.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Since I did not see an answer to the pasty butt question ....

Pasty butt is when they make a poo and it sticks to the fluff. It will dry there and when they go again it builds up quick. To much on the fluff can block them from being able to go and kill them.

You did good seeing there was poo and getting her cleaned up. It is exactly what needed to happen.

Congrats on the little cuties arriving in good shape!

 

[Elmochook]

Mine came today instead of tomorrow!!! Yayyy

 

[4 ever Orpington]

Thank you all. They seem to be doing just fine. I have witnessed every one of them eat, drink and poop! They have been eating almost non stop since they arrived. I don't know if we will ever order babies online again - it was very stressful worrying about their wellbeing & shipping is VERY pricey and pretty much non-refundable. MPC offers your money back on the chickens if they are not alive for 48 hours & if they send you a Roo, but the shipping costs way more than the birds! and is likely never to be refunded. But, the babies did arrive - just the 3 of them, like we ordered. We are very happy and relieved. Looking forward to watching them grow, thrive and become members of our flock.

Here are a little better pictures of our two Cream Legbar's and one Buff Orpington.View attachment 1198874 View attachment 1198876 View attachment 1198877

Adorable

 

[HopeMartin]

Thank you all for answering all of my questions while we stressed out awaiting the arrival of our three female babies. I was able to pick them up at the post office at about 0615 this morning. All three were chirping loudly when I arrived at the Post Office! Now they are eating and drinking in their new home. Two Cream Legbar's and one Buff Orpington. View attachment 1198458 View attachment 1198459 View attachment 1198458 View attachment 1198459 View attachment 1198462

So cute! Nice brooder set up too.

 

[lazy gardener]

Re: pasty butt: often a result of shipping or even hatching stress. Can be related to too much heat also. A dab of oil after cleaning the butt may help. But, IMO, the best way to combat PB is to give them access to soil from your yard, and grit. Probiotics or fermented feed are also helpful for getting the chick's gut populated with good organisms.

 

[Enchanted1s]

Mine came today instead of tomorrow!!! Yayyy

Awesome! What kind are yours @Elmochook ?

@lazy gardener but how do I know what to look for? The Buff Orpington had a little poop on her but that I cleaned with a paper towel. It was noting massive - just a tiny bit - but I kept reading about PB and still not sure what exactly it is I am watching for?

 

[Folly's place]

Enchanted, don't worry so much about it! If your brooder is good, and they are doing well, enjoy them!
You might have a chick with 'stuff' stuck to her rump; clean it off, and it probably won't reappear. Medication should not be needed either.
Mary

 

[Enchanted1s]

Do you have a light on in their room? They shouldn't be active in the dark.

It's possible your chick wasn't "scared" but cold (you mentioned trembling). Maybe she couldn't find the heat source and that's why she was cheeping/trembling.

@AUChickenGal I thought they would be quiet if it was dark too - but someone forgot to give the little one the memo! She did the same thing tonight. I don't have a dimmer, but I have three different lights set up to gradually make it darker. When I turn all the lights off and shut the door - this room is total black out dark. Once I turn the lights off, she cries loudly. Tonight, I concluded that she must be cold! She is a bit smaller than the other two. I had the back of the heat plate, what I thought was VERY low, but I lowered the plate some more in the back. Both nights, she was NOT under the plate, but looking for me. I hung the heat lamp (red bulb) in the room for them as I read they like the red light. It lit everything up where I could see & woke up the other two, but did nothing for the cry baby. I took her out and put her under a heating pad cave - she quieted right down and went to sleep! There is not room in the brooder for both the heating cave and the heating plate, so I lowered the back of the plate more and put her back in. Did the whole gradual turning off of the lights - again. It is now 9pm and all is quiet in the brooder!! She was cold - but I think she also wants me! She literally took a running leap to get to me last night. Tonight, when trying to put her back in - she tried to jump on top of the heat plate so she could jump out to get to me. Glad I paid the extra for the plastic dome that fits on top of the heat plate!

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I think it’s so cute that she is so attached to you.