I'm sorry you had this experience. When I order chicks, I can save them a day of travel by picking them up at the P.O. at a bigger city about 30 miles from here. I tell the hatchery to send the chicks GD (General Delivery) to that Post Office and make sure they put my phone number on the box. Then I jump in the car when they call me and make a mad dash to go get them.
I make sure the brooder is warm, ready and set up before I leave the house. Instead of plain water, I have warm sugar water waiting for them. This is 1/4 c sugar to a quart of water plus a large pinch of salt and one of baking soda, stirred or shaken till dissolved. By the time I get go the P.O., the car will be nice and warm.
As soon as we get home, I put them in the brooder, one at a time. I dip each beak in the sugar water. After they've all had a drink, I dip their wet beaks in the chick starter feed. I do this by picking up each chick bodily, like a dart, and poking their beaks in the water and feed. I do not try to control just their little heads. This is what works for me! In a matter of minutes they are running around like kids on a sugar buzz at a party, eating, drinking, cheeping happily.
I use a heat lamp anchored safely above them, but aimed only at one corner of the brooder so there is a cool zone. The food and water is in the cool zone. When they've had plenty to eat and drink, they settle down in a "cuddle puddle" and nap, murmuring sweet nothings to each other. (Or a "warm swarm," lol). If they're not screaming I know they're happy.
I seldom lose a chick managing them this way. Better luck to you going forward!
