Chicks staying under brooder mat???

[gumbita]

We got three Cochin chicks late this afternoon and this is the first time I have used a brooder mat. Once I put them in the brooder I showed them under it and they have been under there for the past couple of hours and haven't come out to eat or drink. Every once and a while they make little quiet peeps and then silence. It is nighttime here, are they just sleeping? How long would they go without eating or drinking? They arrived at the feed store this morning and were mulling about all day eating and drinking there before we got them home. It's just weird not being able to see them but they are so quiet, I guess they are fine???

 

[rosemarythyme]

They're tucked into bed for the night. It's completely normal for them not come back out until morning. They don't need to eat or sleep at night.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

We got three Cochin chicks late this afternoon and this is the first time I have used a brooder mat. Once I put them in the brooder I showed them under it and they have been under there for the past couple of hours and haven't come out to eat or drink. Every once and a while they make little quiet peeps and then silence. It is nighttime here, are they just sleeping? How long would they go without eating or drinking? They arrived at the feed store this morning and were mulling about all day eating and drinking there before we got them home. It's just weird not being able to see them but they are so quiet, I guess they are fine???

They may just be getting settled in - the chicks from my recent incubated hatch went into the brooder, under the MHP, and weren't seen again for about 12 hours (though they may have come out when I wasn't looking). Then, they came out, drank water, pecked at crumbles, and then went back under the MHP. Try calling to them, too - my chicks will come out from under the MHP when I go talk to them. I bet yours will come out after they get used to the change - maybe tomorrow? - and get right back to doing their chick activities.

 

[gumbita]

Thank you! I was hoping since they weren't peeping up a storm that they were comfy!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you! I was hoping since they weren't peeping up a storm that they were comfy!

Yup that's the wonderful thing about using a heating pad/plate, the chicks have a normal day/night cycle and quiet down during the night.

 

[gumbita]

It is amazing!!! Definitely a difference compared to the heat lamp.