soo Today I went to pick up my special order of chicks from my local feed store. All was well, 1 had died in transit to the feed store. they are super cute. I ordered 18- 4 porcelain d'uccles 2 gray silkies-1 died on the journey 2 feed store 2 black silkies 2 buff silkies 2 white silkies 2 buff laced sebrights 2 silver laced sebrights 2 gold laced sebrights they are in a big cardboard box, very happy, etc. A few questions though: 2 are a bit splay-legged, but they are on non slippery paper towel so should I let them be or use band-aides? i sprinkled food, they are eating that but not out of the feeders yet that I have seen. Normal? how long should I check for pasty-butt? the feed store had put some bedding in which they had been trying to eat untill I got home, but I checked them all before putting them in the brooder and none had it yet. Can I give them a little scrambled egg tomorrow? about 1/2 of them were sleeping flat out earlier, is that just b/c they were tired from the trip or should I be worried. Thanks in advance for any help- Quinn P.S sorry, no pics- my camera broke and I only have my phone. Ill try and get some on this weekend for all who love pics.
I'd like an answer to the "sleeping flat out" too. I just got my first chicks yesterday and a few will sleep flat out, but all are active when awake. I figured they were just tired. Hoping it's not a problem~!
I wouldn't wait too long before treating your splay-legged chicks. If they don't improve within a few hours of being on the paper towel, it may be wise to go ahead and use the band-aids. As long as the feeders are set low, I wouldn't worry about them not eating out of it right away. Mine preferred eating off the floor first, too. You can usually stop checking for pasty butt by the time they are a week old. I really don't know about the scrambled egg. They don't "need" it, per se, the chick starter should have everything they need. In fact, too many treats at this point can be detrimental by taking away their appetite for their regular feed. It's up to you. As long as you can see them eating and drinking, don't worry. They sleep tons the first day they get home! I hope this helps a bit. I'm sorry you lost the grey silkie, but the others sound healthy and happy! About those pictures . . .
sometimes they sleep flat out, sometimes they fall asleep on their feet and then fall over ADORABLE!!! they are still "eating" the yolk in their tummy. don't worry they will be eating out of the feeders soon. if their legs are still splayed tomorrow then band aid check for pasty butt for the first week or so. scrambled egg is fine
ill work on the pics.... no promises. Thanks for the help. when chicks have pasty butt you need to get it off with a warm damp cloth
After you use the warm water to moisten up the poo, gently wipe it away. If you do something like dip them in water, be prepared to get them completely dried off. I then use a q-tip with a drop of olive oil on it, I wipe this all around the vent area, keeps the poo from sticking. Just be careful and work slowly doing this, you don't want to damage the fuzzy butt.
Thank you for the help, just curious what if I just leave it alone? Would that create problems for the chick?
