Chicks just arrived!

[CatsCrazyCoop]

Ok. So, 7 of my gals just arrived:

Black Jersey Giant
Dominique
Buff Orpington
Rhode Island Red
White Plymouth Rock
Barred Plymouth Rock
Black Sumatra

So, here are my issues/questions:
They are chirping loudly, and wandering all over the brooder. Is this ok?
Some of them look a little wobbly, but they just arrived from the Post Office (and my father picked them up for me, he is a wobbly kind of driver) - how long before they should be acclimated?
Some of them are also pecking at the other's eyes

My father built roosting poles, but I am not sure if they are too wide...

I would post pics, but not entirely sure just yet. Going to play with that

Thanks all!
Carolyn

 

[jtr]

they are just getting settled in they should be fine

 

[horsefreak]

Chirping is ok- they are just calling for their mother
They'll stop wobbling once their feet get acustumed to the bedding and they'r body, to the heat. Thats all
About pecking- they are astablashing the 'pecking' (excuse!) order:cd

 

[JodyJo]

the little chirping is good...it will decrease once they get used to you, talk quietly to them and let them get used to you, if you need help posting pics, just ask, we can all help you...

 

[CatsCrazyCoop]

I think I did it...
Here are my gals!

 

[JodyJo]

ok, for starters, the paper towels, can cause their legs to "spraddle out" I think that is what they call it, try putting shavings at least under it, then put it on top soon...mine never ate the shavings, some people prefer to not use it right away for that fear...

they are adorable, of course....I mixed food with my chicks starter, they loved it and it's a bit easier for them to eat...even now at 9 weeks, mine prefer it...big babies!

are those play toys for them? See if you can put a log or short roost in the brooder for them, even at this age, they like to climb and this will keep them from getting bored also, even just a large block of wood.

I am assuming you have a high sided area, with a heat lamp also?

 

[CatsCrazyCoop]

I had pine shavings under the paper towels. I only used it for the first week, because I read so much about them eating pine shavings.

The pic is WEIRD, it looks like one side of the brooder is so short, but it is 18" high all around - with the galvanized fence doors on the top to open and close... and yes, I have a brooder bulb, which with out very unpredicatable NY weather it is becoming a pain in the...ehem...tush to keep the temps regulated. I am up 4x at night to check their temperature in the brooder because it will go from 85 degrees to 60 degrees over night, what a pain!

I also have a roost ladder my dad made for me from 1" dowels that they love!

 

[Cadjien_De_Louisiane]

pine shavings perfect, newspapper = spraddle legs, dont want that.
If there wondering around all over good, if there bunch up together there cold.
Sounds like your doing good.

 

[earnhardtlvr]

new pics??

 

[chickenbythesea]

as long as the pine shavings are large enough they shouldn't eat it... that's what ours have been on from the beginning and it's worked out great so far.