Help my baby chickens were left out in rain all night.

[RolluGollu]

Hi

I am so sorry but I forgot to cover my brooder in night and my baby chickens were left out in rain all night. They look very cold and not moving as they were moving before. I have them in a warm place now and they have all the fur like sticky and not fluffy. They are also not eating as much as they use to and manure is coming green and watery. What should I do? I have been randomly advised to give them garlic. Do baby chickens hate water? I might sound stupid but i need to know if chickens like to swim or play in water?

Regards
Sunny

 

[elch]

chickens don't hate water, but they can't swim and do not play in the water

 

[Tuhmu]

They do not like to be in water. I would definitely make sure they are in a nice warm and dry place. How old are they? What were the temps when it was raining, cold/warmish?

 

[ChickenLegs13]

When I have chicks that caught caught in the rain & chilled I use a blow dryer to recharge them. It's important to get their body temperature back to normal as soon as possible. I've done that with chicks that were cold, wet, stiff and comatose.

 

[RolluGollu]

They are around 4-5 weeks old and temp is around 80-90 F right now. Thanx for the dryer tip. I need to find one right now! Can I give them any specific foods to keep them warm?

 

[farnorth]

maybe give them a little warm oatmeal to eat? and some warmish water with chick saver in it .....and fluff them dry with a towel. Put them somewhere totally warm and dry.

 

[flyladyrocks]

When my heat lamp went out I took my rice sock I used for aches and pains, warmed it up and put it in and they all sat on it very happily - so that might work to help get some warmth underneath them, and the heat lamp from the top, after you blow them dry. I just filled a sock with rice and tied a knot in the end- just make sure the rice can't slip through the knitting.

 

[RolluGollu]

Cheers! The dryer and lamp trick worked. They loved oatmeal and the fur is nice and fluffy again. They are back to normal and running everywhere. My special thanx to FLYLADY ROCKS, farnorth, ChickenLegs13 and all others who helped. Love you guys.

Thank you again!
Sunny

 

[farnorth]

Cheers! The dryer and lamp trick worked. They loved oatmeal and the fur is nice and fluffy again. They are back to normal and running everywhere. My special thanx to FLYLADY ROCKS, farnorth, ChickenLegs13 and all others who helped. Love you guys.

Thank you again!
Sunny

I'm glad they are okay and everything turned out

 

[flyladyrocks]

So happy they are doing good!