Is this normal?

[willy3486]

I have forgotten a lot of what I learned 30 years ago as a kid raising chicks. Anyway I got the chicks today from the 4H chick program since my child is still in school . I have them in a new coop that is off the ground and it is sealed up. The only opening is in the top where the rafters are. I also put wood strips over the places the wood butted together. I have them in a tub that has plenty of room and about 16 inches deep. I have a heat lamp on them. Today the lamp was about 90 to 95 today. Tonight I checked and the temp was around 80. But the thermometer was with them and many of them were around it so it was probably at least 5 degrees warmer. I have a aluminum screen over the tub with clothes pins about every inch or two. I put in fresh water and feed tonight as well. I have a electric fence on the outside of the fence and I put mothballs outside the fence as well to run off snakes. So that is what I have and here is my question is this. Today for the most part they were all over most of the day. Tonight the temp went down some but I don't think more than 5 degrees. We have 26 and about 15-18 were all huddled in a group. a few were roaming getting food and water. But about 5 were outside of the others and some had their heads down on the tubs floor. I do have paper between them and the tub. When they were spooked they would get up and act just fine. So I am thinking this is normal, I did bring the light more towards them to make it some warmer. The one thing that has me curious is that some of them will sit completely down. Then they may keep their head up but some will lay their head down. When I first went out there I thought one was dead. But it got up. It acted like it was asleep at first but got up. Is it normal that a few will lay their heads down? When you wake them from noise they get up fine. I am going out to check on them one last time.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Mine will stretch one leg out behind them laying flat and go to sleep looking like they have been hit by a bus. They're just starting their mind games with you

 

[TXmom]

Yep...all that sounds perfectly normal. They sleep in all different crazy positions...sometimes you look in the brooder and it looks like a bomb has gone off, but you make a noise and they all jump up and start eating, playing, whatever.

They also naturally huddle together when they sleep, not just because they're cold, that's just what they do. If they're cold, they'll pile on top of each other and that's dangerous, and they'll also be peeping loudly.

You said you have paper in the tub...if you're using newspaper (or similar) it's not good for their legs. It's too slippery and can cause spraddle-leg. Put paper towel down so it's not too slippery, or pine shavings.

 

[Kittymomma]

Looks like your questions got answered so I'll just say

from WA.

 

[willy3486]

Thanks for the replies. I moved the light closer by about a inch earlier. I went back out there just now and it was about 5 degrees more but there wasn't many chicks around the thermometer. They were more active as well so I probably woke them up a while ago. We are expecting storms tonight and tomorrow But I think it stays dry in the coop from what I have seen when I have went into it after rain. I will be glad when they get a week or two older. This period always keeps me on pins and needles.

 

[mom2mnem]

Very happy to see this thread - my chicks have been scaring the dickens out of me with the way they sprawl out! I keep thinking one has a broken wing or foot and keep yelling at my kids to make sure they aren't handling them wrong. LOL