I just became a first time chicken owner.

[Iceegg]

I woke up to an early morning phone call from my PO. They called at 6:15

and said my chicks are in. I dashed to the PO and picked up my 3 chicks. They are amazingly cute and my son(3 years old) is fascinated by them. One of them is a little smaller then the other 2 and seems a bit lethargic so I check and cleaned her to make sure she wasn't pasting up. I gave her some sugar water and about 2 hours later she is looking better but still not as active as the other 2. I haven't seen her eat yet and other then the water I have given her I haven't seen her drink. I have seen the other 2 do both and them seem to be handling the stress of travel better. The nice thing is the other chicks aren't picking on her or excluding her they always seem to be near so that is good. Anyone have any ideas of how I can further help my stressed chick. I would really hate for her not to make it since it seems that is the one my son likes the best. One final note is I'm so excited to be a chicken parent and can't believe I never thought to do this sooner.

 

[chicks4kids]

Welcome to the addiction!!!!

 

[Armageddon]

Where's the pics?

 

[ChicksR4Me]

I'm not an expert but it might help to put electolytes in the water and some baby liquid vitamins (no Iron added) type.

 

[Iceegg]

Here are some pics of our new chicks.

We have one Buff, one Australorp and one Rock. The white thing in there is a digital temp sensor hooked up to my weather station. It allows us to monitor the temp from a different level in our house.

 

[Kittymomma]

Awwww, I love the fuzzy butts! Hope your little one is doing better in the a.m. Welcome to the enablers club...... I mean

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

Congratulations on the chicks. You have been bitten by the bug now...you will have to have more!!!

I would suggest calling the company you ordered them from, just let them know 1 of them is not feeling well. That way you have covered yourself if something happens to that chick.

everything is OK
Usually they won't ship you just 1 replacement chick, but give you a credit on future orders of chicks or supplies.

Give it until tomorrow before adding anything different to the water. Sometimes it might take a bit for them to get over the shipping stress. You said you added sugar, so tomorrow when you change the water you could try electrolytes... or the polyvisol vitamin liquid.


Good Luck

Jean

 

[tnchickenut]

I'd dip it's beak in some water with electrolytes. You'd see if it was pasted up... the poo is all over the backside. Keep it watered and try to get it to eat. You may need to get it interested by putting something shiny in the food... like a paperclip or something (remember to get it out after they all start to eat).

Also... is that cedar? Cedar is a no no and can kill chicks. That might be the problem, matter of fact I'm betting on it. Switch to pine right away.

The cedar is bad... and especially in such fine, small peices. They get it in their intestines and it will kill them.

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Welcome to the chicken owners club! These are likely the first of many fluffy butts that will come into your life.

Sounds like you're doing a good job dealing with the chick who is a bit lethargic. Just do your best, and if the chick doesn't make it...well, that happens with chicks sometimes, unfortunately. I've had chicks worst off than that make it and grow up just fine, and chicks better off than that mysteriously die. Sometimes we just don't know what's going on inside their little bodies. It could just be stress, though, and she could just need some rest, food, and water and she'll eventually perk up. I'll be thinking good thoughts for her!

Best wishes to you, and I hope you enjoy your chickens as much as we do on this forum! I think you're going to see why we all love them so much.

 

[purpledonna]