Do my chicks look alright?

[kozzers]

I just got six chicks, regular cochins (they're splashes). I read a lot about chickens beforehand, though this is my first real night with the chicks and I want to make sure everything is alright with them. This is not a permanent living space, just for the next week or so. There's water, mash, and a red 100W heatlight. They were grouped under the light, so I moved it closer, and now they seem to be grouped around the edge of the light, though not the far side of the box, so I figured that's a good thing. They haven't touched the water or food, and instead just kind of settled in and went to sleep. At least, I think they're sleeping. I believe they're fine, but like I said, I've never actually had any chickens before and I don't want to screw anything up. How do they look?




Thanks!

 

[lkeech]

Dont take my word for it too much we are brooding our first set of chicks as well. Our do that all the time they move around depending on what heat they want or need. As long as there is enough room for them to get away from it and cool down you should be good. Wait till they all start jumping on each other and you have a chicken pile

I hope all is well for your little chicks...

 

[Panth]

Be careful not to have too deep of water...they can drown easily. If it is wide and deep, add some marbles or rocks so they can only fit their beaks in. Looks like you could get away with raising the heat lamp a bit, but they are exactly where you want them, right on the edge of the heat lamp light.

 

[Shell-in-NE]

We dip their beaks in the water once, just to be sure they know theres water there for them at their new home.

It's hard to tell how deep the water is. Like the above poster Panth wrote, the water should be shallow.

 

[kozzers]

The water is deepish, just under two inches. But it's in a dish with a plastic container sitting in it, so there's only the ring around the edge that's available to them. Less than an inch wide. I would do the beak dipping, except they've all just recently gone back off to sleep, and I'd rather not wake them. One has snuggled into the food dish, which I expected to happen sooner or later.

 

[kozzers]

My heating lamp had a faulty switch and turned itself off while I was at work... two of my chicks died. I feel like I let them down.

 

[christyg]

Awwww, that is too bad! Wishing you the best with the rest. They are very delicate at this stage and even though it's not your fault, you can't help but feel guilty. Wait 'til you are syringing water down a sick hen's beak at 11 at night and hand feeding cooked oatmeal and yogurt every few hours! Never knew I'd be a chicken nurse when I grew up...but we love our girls and its totally worth it. Hope all goes well with your new flock and you are able to get some heat to them and resolve the problem. Good luck!

 

[St0rmym00n]

They look good to me, give them some time and see if they will eat and drink on their own. If you still dont see them doing anything on their own then you can step in and help. We tap at the water and feed like a momma hen would do you may need to tap on their head then tap the feed to show them what to do.

 

[LaynaDon95]

My heating lamp had a faulty switch and turned itself off while I was at work... two of my chicks died. I feel like I let them down.

Accidents happen. I accidentally suffocated 3 of my chicks once. :'( It's a sad situation, but there's nothing we can do about it most of the time. Judging by the pics, your chicks look great. Nice and fluffy.

 

[mlpeik]

aww I am sorry about the faulty heat lamp!

LaynaDon-- May I ask you how the suffocation happened? Just curious-- I am concerned about a towel I have in there. Thanks!