Lazy chick or signs of a problem ?

[Fluster Cluck Acres]

I brought home 3 day old chicks today. They’ve settled nicely into the brooder. They’re eating, drinking, sleeping, & pooping. I have 2 Wyandottes and an Australorpe. The Australorpe does all the same activities as the other 2, but prefers to do them laying down. She can walk. She’ll walk to the food bowl, but after 1-2 bites, she’ll lay down and then continue munching. Does this sound normal? Should I raise food up higher to encourage her to stand more?

 

[azygous]

No. This isn't normal. The chick is weak. I just brought home four new chicks day before yesterday. They were a day old. All were lethargic when I got them home. For the first 24 hours, they got sugar water with a few drops of Poultry Nutri-drench mixed in. By the next day, all were very lively and running around and eating well. I do this as a regular procedure with new chicks. I always assume they all are suffering transit stress and just treat them for it regardless.

 

[Fluster Cluck Acres]

No. This isn't normal. The chick is weak. I just brought home four new chicks day before yesterday. They were a day old. All were lethargic when I got them home. For the first 24 hours, they got sugar water with a few drops of Poultry Nutri-drench mixed in. By the next day, all were very lively and running around and eating well. I do this as a regular procedure with new chicks. I always assume they all are suffering transit stress and just treat them for it regardless.

Would you recommend I offer sugar water to her, even though she otherwise behaves the same as the other chicks? If so, what ratio do you use?

 

[azygous]

I use a teaspoon of sugar in about two cups warm water. Let all the chicks drink it. It's like topping off the gas tank in your car. It will give them all a good boost of energy. Do it for 24 hours.

 

[Fluster Cluck Acres]

I decided to keep an eye on her, and when she’d lay down to do something she was opposed to do standing up, I gave her a little poke under the butt to get her to stand up. I did this for a while, and she seems to have dropped the habit. She is now moving around just like the other chicks and seems okay!