Damp Chicks: What to Watch For

[snhchick]

I had my 3 and 6 week old chicks out in their playpen when it started to rain. I got out there pretty quickly but found them huddled in an open corner rather than under the tarp. They're just damp and now back in their brooder under a 100W heat lamp. Is there anything else I should do or watch for? Why didn't they seek shelter? It is teaming down now, so at least they avoided a thorough soaking. I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks.

 

[nchls school]

I had my 3 and 6 week old chicks out in their playpen when it started to rain. I got out there pretty quickly but found them huddled in an open corner rather than under the tarp. They're just damp and now back in their brooder under a 100W heat lamp. Is there anything else I should do or watch for? Why didn't they seek shelter? It is teaming down now, so at least they avoided a thorough soaking. I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Chicks learn from their parents. Coming in out of the rain is a learned behavior; one in which they needed someone/something to lead them under cover. Chicks that age are pretty hardy. If they look and sound OK they probably are. Watch for fluffed feathers well after they are dry. Listen for loud insistent cheeping. This is how chicks tell their mother they are cold. I doubt you have anything to worry about. Good luck.

 

[snhchick]

Thanks. The biggest one still looks a bit fluffed up, but they seem OK. Everyone had moved away from the heat, so I turned it off. They are still afraid of me (planning to start feeding by hand to get them friendlier); how do I teach them to get out of the rain?

 

[nchls school]

Next time it rains shoo the chicks to cover. As they age they will learn from experience. Consider keeping these chicks under cover until they are old enough to where getting damp won't matter as much.