Just brought home babies!!!!

[Cometsea]

Hey everyone, well we lost one baby last night. I have no idea why. The other 5 all seem great, chirping, eating, drinking and even flapping their wings. Is this normal? I cleaned the brooder this morning of all dropping just in case he had something contagious. I hope to God it was nothing I did wrong.

 

[Peeps61]

I'm sure it wasn't. Sometimes, they don't take the mailing from the hatcheries well and just don't recover. Even if you get yours at TSC or the local feed store, most of them mail order their chicks too. If your others are eating, drinking, flapping wings and active for periods of time, then you are doing well.

Just make sure they have plenty of fresh water. I check mine two or three times a day and change it out.

I bought chicks in three waves this year. My four oldest have been moved out into the chicken tractor, which I use as my grow out pen. The three youngest are still in the house for at least another week. My 9 adult hens have their own coop and free range. They visit the four outside chicks through the wire, so they are getting to know each other that way.

You will notice that your chicks will be friendly with you once they connect you with the food/water source. After that, as they get a bit older, they may be more standoffish. Then, as they get to the point of lay (squatting) at around 18 to 24 weeks, they become VERY friendly. Mine would even hop in my lap and try to fly up on my shoulders when they reached that point. Now, they come around whenever they see me, but are not too interested in being picked up. It's fun to watch them! Chicken TV.

 

[Bigdaddy Farmer]

We lost 1 the 1st night. It happens. Always change the water out twice a day as they like to fling stuff and some times poop onto it. Also they have a powder u can add to the water to keep them hydrated. Kinda like gatorade for chickens. Also they have food bricks for baby chicks that u can use to supplement their food. Extra nutrients to help keep them happy and healthy

Its like having a newborn baby...watch and worry...but soooooo rewarding and exciting to watch the grow.