chicks not very active

[kinkajou34]

I have 4 2 week old chicks that are super active and we just got 12 6 week olds and mixed them but they aren't very active and often just sit and sleep

 

[Celeste Cannon]

Do they have enough warmth? That might be it since it's starting to get cold. What type of heat source are you using? Any other symptoms (paleness, diarrhea, laying on side, weight loss, not eating/drinking, clogged vent etc) that you've noticed? I'd suggest giving them some chick boost/electrolytes if you have any. heres a link for one: https://www.chewy.com/animal-health-solutions-chick-boost/dp/233955 some dummy gave it a bad review cuz they used it for the wrong bird lol

 

[kinkajou34]

Do they have enough warmth? That might be it since it's starting to get cold. What type of heat source are you using? Any other symptoms (paleness, diarrhea, laying on side, weight loss, not eating/drinking, clogged vent etc) that you've noticed? I'd suggest giving them some chick boost/electrolytes if you have any. heres a link for one: https://www.chewy.com/animal-health-solutions-chick-boost/dp/233955 some dummy gave it a bad review cuz they used it for the wrong bird lol

they do get cold a lot when you hold them and I had to clean a couple of vents but other than that they are fine

 

[Celeste Cannon]

i'd just give them the booster, you mix it into their water source. Just make sure they have heat, you can tell they're cold when all the chicks huddle together, and too hot when they're spread out, panting and laying down. Also make sure you're feeding them chick food, not adult food because that can overdose them on vitamins.

 

[kinkajou34]

i'd just give them the booster, you mix it into their water source. Just make sure they have heat, you can tell they're cold when all the chicks huddle together, and too hot when they're spread out, panting and laying down. Also make sure you're feeding them chick food, not adult food because that can overdose them on vitamins.

thank you

 

[NatJ]

I have 4 2 week old chicks that are super active and we just got 12 6 week olds and mixed them but they aren't very active and often just sit and sleep

How recently is "just got"?

Being moved to a new place is stressful for chickens, so if this is within the first few hours they might just need a nap.

If they have been there for less than 24 hours, I would make sure they have an appropriate temperature, plenty of food and plain water, and let them settle in until the next day with as little disruption as possible.

If you really want to add supplements to the water--be sure plain water is also available. (They might object to the flavor of the supplements, and you don't want them to go thirsty.)

 

[kinkajou34]

How recently is "just got"?

Being moved to a new place is stressful for chickens, so if this is within the first few hours they might just need a nap.

If they have been there for less than 24 hours, I would make sure they have an appropriate temperature, plenty of food and plain water, and let them settle in until the next day with as little disruption as possible.

If you really want to add supplements to the water--be sure plain water is also available. (They might object to the flavor of the supplements, and you don't want them to go thirsty.)

they have been here for a day and a half

 

[CheerioTheBuffRooster]

They could either be too warm or too chilly.
If they're huddled together, they're too cold and I'd move the heat lamp a closer but still safe distance from the box.
If they're spread out and toward the edges of the box, they're too hot and I'd do the opposite- raise the heat lamp higher.
If temperature doesn't seem to be the problem, are they getting plenty of food and fresh water?
Hope this helps

 

[NatJ]

I have 4 2 week old chicks that are super active and we just got 12 6 week olds and mixed them but they aren't very active and often just sit and sleep

I am puzzled about the temperature. Since they are just sitting and sleeping, I might expect them to be cold. But they are 6 weeks old, sharing brooder space with chicks that are 2 weeks old and apparently content. Where 2-week chicks are comfortable should not be too cold for 6-week chicks!

And if the 6-week ones were too hot, I would expect them to spread their wings and pant, but that's not what is being described.


Are the droppings normal? I think coccidiosis can make chicks sick and tired.

 

[kinkajou34]

I am puzzled about the temperature. Since they are just sitting and sleeping, I might expect them to be cold. But they are 6 weeks old, sharing brooder space with chicks that are 2 weeks old and apparently content. Where 2-week chicks are comfortable should not be too cold for 6-week chicks!

And if the 6-week ones were too hot, I would expect them to spread their wings and pant, but that's not what is being described.


Are the droppings normal? I think coccidiosis can make chicks sick and tired.

they will occasionally preen and they do eat and play we have them under a brooder light until they get hot at night and their droppings are normal other than an occasional wet one and they always seem to be cold.