Day old chick behaviour

[catchthewind]

I'm trying to figure out if my brooder is too cold for the new babies I just put in today. They hatched yesterday. They are three Silkies, and they're in with 12 others that are just over a week old. There was a really small amount of pecking at first, but I threw in some grapes and grit for the older ones and sprinkled chick crumble around the ground in the brooder, and they were all so busy with that they forgot about the babies and now everyone seems to be getting along just fine. The problem is, the brooder right under the light is only 85 degrees. But I just recently moved the week old ones from a smaller brooder into this bigger one, and I can't safely lower their light any more. I only have one light so can't separate the Silkies. The other brooder was only about 2 square feet, so I think it's way too small for 15 chicks. The one they're in now is only 6 square feet, so still small, but the sides are really high, and cardboard, which is why I can't lower the light. (They'll be moving into a much bigger one this weekend once the older batch of chicks go out to the coop.)

I know that you can tell chicks are too cold by watching how they act, but since there are slightly older ones in there it's hard to judge based off the Silkies' behaviour. Even though it was only a week ago I got the older ones, I can't remember what they were like the first day. The Silkies are definitely mostly staying under the light, but they're not really huddling at all. One was snuggled up to one of the older chicks for a while, but I saw one venture over to the food dish (opposite side from the light) and eat a bit. They all ate some of the crumble off the brooder floor when I sprinkled it. I've shown them the water but haven't seen any of them drink on their own. In fact, they've had almost zero interest in the water so far. None of them are peeping loudly. I guess I just can't remember if being very quiet and not doing much is normal for a day old, or if I need to figure out some way to get it a bit warmer in there for them?

 

[lady feathers]

I would think they might be a bit cold if they aren't venturing over for water.... you could try covering part of the box they are in , it will help to trap in some extra heat w/o having to try and figure a way to lower the light, if your temp quage goes up to high uncover a little bit more of the box until ou find a temp that is just right. Even at 1 week the other chicks should be spreading out a bit. You may have to keep a close eye on the littlest ones... if they seem to be too cold it won't hurt the week old chicks to take the temp back up the few degrees until the new chicks are ready. Temps are just suggested though, try to find one that works best for your babies they should definately be moving around some exploring their feed and water (but keep in mind-they will sleep alot in the first few weeks for sure). And be sure to keep the water fresh and not cold but not hot either. They may just be tired and growing. Good Luck!

 

[catchthewind]

Thanks lady feathers. That's a good suggestion about blocking off part of the box, I'll try that. To be clear, the older ones are definitely more than fine. They range all over the box. They do sleep under the light at night, but not huddled at all. During the day though, they're all over the place. It's just the new Silkies that I haven't seen drink and they're all just standing in one spot most of the time looking a bit dopey, besides the one I saw venture over to the food dish briefly and then back again.

 

[phasian]

Great advice. Don't forget that when chicks hatch they have absorbed their yolk sac which provides enough nutriment & water for a couple of days.....

 

[catchthewind]

Okay with your suggestion and a little maneuvering of the heat light, I've managed to get it up to around 89. Still a bit on the cool side but they do seem a little perkier now. I wonder if they're also a bit overwhelmed by 12 older chicks running around them. They were the only three and were under a broody hen so it must be like a circus now to them. They're just standing in one part of the box watching the older ones, though they've ventured out from under the light a little bit more now. They are so incredibly cute. I sure hope they end up being okay in there with them. None of the bigger ones are picking on them at all now, and in fact when one of the older ones does settle for a minute one or two of the Silkies tend to end up snuggled with them pretty quick.

 

[catchthewind]

Quote:
Thanks! You're right and that makes me feel a lot better. I guess when they're shipped from hatcheries they go a few days without food or water too (or heat for that matter). I'll just make sure to keep a good eye on the little ones for a few days.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I set my brooder up in the coop and only keep one area in the right temperature range. The far corners are often 20 to 30 degrees too cold for the chicks. The first couple of days, they tend to stay under the light all the time, but by the third day they are roaming all over the brooder.

From what you describe, I really don't think you have a problem. If they were cold, they would be huddled together, maybe trying to cuddle with the older ones but under the heat and together. They would be giving that distress peeping. Yours sound pretty normal to me.

 

[daver]

Quote:
Thanks, I was just getting ready to post a similar question. I was concerned that they are all huddled together under the lamp but they are no way distressed. And surprisingly laid back.

Dave