help! leaving chicks alone?

[smalls]

Hi! I'm smalls, and I recently ordered four chicks a nearby farm. Since I go to school, and my parents aren't home while I'm there, I was wondering if it's okay to leave them alone for that long? I'm rather scared they'll paste up or something and die thanks for reading!

 

[trudyg]

I leave mine alone all night, so the same number of hours I think would be fine. Check on them as often as you can, but don't stress otherwise. As long as the area is secure (think protecting a curious toddler as well as predators) and they have plenty of food and water, they should be fine.

 

[azygous]

Smalls, if one of your chicks does get pasty butt while you're at school, it won't fall over dead before you get home. It may be uncomfortable, but it won't die right away.

You are aware of having to check them for this condition, so just clean it up as soon as you discover it. Coconut oil is one of the best things to smooth on the vent when this happens since it is an anti-inflammatory as well as keeping the vent lubricated to decrease the chances of poop sticking again.

I'm sure you know that chick vents are very fragile and anything but very gentle wiping with a q-tip or cotton ball soaked in warm water will make the vent swell up and be very painful.

 

[smalls]

Thanks! I was also wondering if, nice my chicks aren't vaccinated for Coccidiosis, will I need to give them a medicated feed? They are vaccinated for Mareks.