First time with babies, my bantams seem so much weaker!

[ThatCrazyChickenGirl]

Hi everyone!
I got 5 babies in the mail yesterday, three speckled sussexes (standard) and two bantams (one Mille fleur and one Cochin).

God are they cute.

My only concern is that the standards seem so much stronger and more active than the bantams! I'm concerned about how much the bantams were eating and drinking, since they seem to mostly sleep (though the mille fleur certainly roused herself when a stray ant found the brooder). I dipped their beaks a few times yesterday, and they drink a few mouthfuls willingly then, but I don't notice them finding the food and water on their own, and they won't peck from my hand. The Cochin in particular hardly seems to wake up at all.

What can I do? Should I be concerned or is this normal?I've heard sugar water and electrolytes, and I've tried hard boiled egg (nobody cared for it, even the sussexes). I don't want to be over worried and end up stressing them out. They were only hatched Monday.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC I hope its nothing but have asked one of our first peeps to stop by and give it a look. When you have a sec, pop over to new member introductions and introduce yourself to the group. Again welcome and we're so glad you joined us

 

[WVduckchick]

Pretty chicks! Congrats!

Mail travel can be rough on babies. I like to give "slow" chicks a dab of Nutridrench (vitamins with the fastest boost) but they may just need a little more time to adjust from the shipping stress.

Make sure they aren't too warm also, ya know, when you get in front of a cozy fire, what do you want to do? Sleep, right? lol I don't mean to chill them, but sometimes a little cooler on slower ones makes them be a little more active. The brooder should have a warm area and a cooler area, so they can choose their comfort.

Watch for pasty butts too!

Good luck! And

 

[rjohns39]

Thanks @WVduckchick

 

[lazy gardener]

Ditto the PND. That is front and center for ALL of my chicks, even the robust, bouncing off the walls guys.

 

[Saaniya]

they got stressed in. Travel I think
Look for pasty butt
And give them warmness

 

[dekel18042]

Hi everyone!
I got 5 babies in the mail yesterday, three speckled sussexes (standard) and two bantams (one Mille fleur and one Cochin).

God are they cute.
View attachment 1135257
My only concern is that the standards seem so much stronger and more active than the bantams! I'm concerned about how much the bantams were eating and drinking, since they seem to mostly sleep (though the mille fleur certainly roused herself when a stray ant found the brooder). I dipped their beaks a few times yesterday, and they drink a few mouthfuls willingly then, but I don't notice them finding the food and water on their own, and they won't peck from my hand. The Cochin in particular hardly seems to wake up at all.

What can I do? Should I be concerned or is this normal?I've heard sugar water and electrolytes, and I've tried hard boiled egg (nobody cared for it, even the sussexes). I don't want to be over worried and end up stressing them out. They were only hatched Monday.

We've found sometimes the smaller weaker bantam chicks, especially when shipped, have trouble eating starter feed. Pieces can be too large, so for the first week or so, you may want to throw your starter feed into the blender and make it finer so the tiny bantams have no trouble with it. I've also put a pinch of brightly colored parakeet pellets on top of their food to attract their attention and if you have the babies initially on paper towels or newspaper (We start with paper towels) you can sprinkle loose food on it. Often they will start picking at food there before they go to the feeder.
Good luck. Unfortunately bantams are more delicate than large fowl, but once they grow a bit are well worth the effort. Once they start eating and drinking they are usually fine.
Wanted to add, adding electrolytes or Sav-a- chick to their water (available at your local feed store) can help too.

 

[lazy gardener]

Good point about blending their feed.

 

[ThatCrazyChickenGirl]

Thank you all so much! I gave her some sugar water and have been dipping her beak to make her drink every couple of hours. I will definitely blend the food - I think that might be part of the problem! I may go buy the electrolytes as well when I have a chance (nearest feed store is 45 mins away).

I noticed a change immediately after the sugar water. She's still sleepy but she is responding to the other chicks and moving around a lot more.

I am using seedling mats to help heat them, and I have a little 'cave' wrapped in a seedling mat that stays at 95-97 (I have a sensor there that will turn the mat on and off to maintain that temp), while the rest of the box is heated from below and has a couple cooler spots for hot chicks to escape to.

She has found a favorite sleeping spot, wedged between the wall of the box and the wall of the 'cave' where she can be confined. I notice she likes to be confined in my hand as well - I think she might feel safer that way. This spot is very warm, though - should I move her to help her cool down? Or is her liking of the spot a signal she is too cold?

 

[ThatCrazyChickenGirl]

Finally, finally got her to eat something. I blended up the homemade food I used to feed my older chicken to the consistency of flour.

She only took a few mouthfuls and only when I held it in my hand, but it's progress.