How much do chicks sleep?

[horseemom]

So we finally got our little Silkie chicks (3) and maybe they are tired from the travel home, but they sure sleep alot? When we handle them they fall asleep right in our hands? Is this normal? They are 7-10 days old. Their travel wasn't far, back of the truck to the swap, then 20 min home in a box.

They are so cute, and we are happy to be real chicken owners as opposed to wannabes (well, okay a few ducks to be posers

)

 

[Dawn419]

Hi and Welcome to BYC!

It's totally normal for the chicks to fall asleep at any given moment! It freaked me out too, when we got our first day-olds last May.

Hope this helps!

Dawn

 

[ridgefire]

Their tiny little bodies are going through a lot right now.

 

[horseemom]

Oh good, thats what I thought! Strange they can fall asleep in the hands of a preschooler!? I guess kids wear me out too. I showed them to their bedroom and put the kids and chicks down for naps, I think I need one too!

 

[Dawn419]

Wait til they figure out dust-bathing...that one threw me for a loop, the first time I saw it happen.

http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/TnWren/?action=view&current=Captured2007-6-1500000.flv


http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/TnWren/?action=view&current=Captured2007-6-1500001.flv



Dawn

 

[horseemom]

Okay paranoid mom.....

Should they be eating and drinking their first day home? I dipped beaks a few times. They looked a little hot so I decreased the temp a few degrees as they are 10 days or so old and I was ready for day olds. One was picking litter a bit, not eating anything. They just sleep. I worry about dehydration?

 

[horseemom]

Well they bounced back and are eating and all but one had alot of water so I am feeling better. The first night is through so I am feeling better!

Now these are Silkies, 2 of them have a little tuft of feathers (crest) on the head, but one doesn't (which is much smaller (younger?)). I was told they were 7-10 days old. Do I have 2 roos and a hen? Oh, no, I might need more chickens!?