Do Chicks Usually Lay on Their Sides?

[spiffwilkie]

Today I noticed a couple of our chicks laying on their side. They don't seem to be lethargic or sick, and they still run around like normal. When I say they lay on their side, I don't mean that they completely flop over, they sort of just look like they're lounging a bit.

 

[woodmort]

Yup, they just flop down were they are when they're tired, just like little kids. When I first had chicks I had a few that slept on their backs in the pine shavings with their little feet in the air--first time I saw it I was sure they were dead. Wait until they grow up. get outside and dust bathe in the sun.

 

[New2TheCoop]

Mine do it all the time, especially in the sun! One was sitting on my leg and started nodding out & rolling on her side. It was funny!

 

[spiffwilkie]

Good. I just hadn't seen them do that before. They are funny to watch, though. Quite the narcoleptic little critter. It's funny to watch them pecking away and then do a faceplant in the feed dish.

 

[sheila3935]

Thats the dead chick look so they can scare us humans to death. I think they laugh at us when we freak out.

 

[looptloop]

Lol! Mine are doing the dead chick thing too. They stand there eating, then a second later they are asleep, head bobbing.

 

[mommto3kiddos]

I have one girl that does this too. First time I walked out and saw her I thought she was hurt, but nope just relaxing!!

 

[BrattishTaz]

We have to get a "dead chick" sticky. I don't know anyone who was not in a panic the first time they saw this.

 

[shesaredroan]

My son's ferret (Harry Houdini) used to do this........he'd be running around like crazy.....then all of a sudden he'd flop to the floor and go to sleep.... looking dead. My son & I went through several scary times, until we learned this was the way of a young ferret.
I remember telling my Dad about his grandson's ferret's behavior........he just smiled his quiet smile and said " you were the same way when you were a toddler". (grin......we're all connected)

During my first hatch, when the bitties, who'd been running around peeping, all of a sudden were stretched out on the floor of the bator, looking dead, I remember my son's ferret and my Dad's words.
Wisdom and experience comes from many places.

 

[jaketheeggman]

Dont be worried mine did too.

jake