Lazy Cornish X Chicks?

[swampducks]

I thought these things were supposed to be ravenous? Mine seem to just hang around and pick randomly at their food. Sometimes I see a few eating something or drinking but none of this chowing down I've been led to believe. They aren't huddled under the heat lamp so I don't think they're cold.

I picked them up 3 days ago. I hope nothing is seriously wrong.

 

[Shaun Hagan]

Mine spend an awful lot of time sleeping, mostly with their heads down in the feeder.

 

[swampducks]

My feeder has barely been touched. I have thrown quite a bit of food on the ground, but with 20 birds I expected to see at least a dent in the food tray.

The birds already have white pin feathers on their wing tips.

 

[MissPrissy]

Like all other chicks they sleep alot the first few days through the first week. They will show you their appetite. Give them time.

After two weeks you'll start to see just how much they can eat. This is the calm before the storm. At six weeks you'll be astonished.

At 6 weeks mine where drinking nearly 6 gallons of water a day. In the end before processing 27 birds consumed 25lbs of feed every day.

 

[WrenAli]

They won't start really making a dent until they are about a week old. I feed mine twice a day on top of having a feeder in there.. Just sprinkle some on the ground and into the feeder. It really gets their attention. Having the Pin feathers is normal. The ones I just got, they are a week old, were practically born with them.

They are a lazy bird. I have my 5 week olds in a stall and they show no interest in anything but food or sleeping. Where as my 2 Barred pullets, in the same stall come running to the door trying to peak out.

 

[Julie08]

They are babies and babies sleep a lot. Next week you won't believe how wild or hungry they are. I'm sure they are fine.

 

[swampducks]

Thanks everyone. This is the first time I've ever had chickens and as one my barred rocks died in the night, another is now acting suspiciously and one is paralyzed, I'm a little worried.

The meat chicks are separate from the BRs. I hope I don't lose all my rocks, I only bought 6.

 

[jdr250]

Sorry to hear about your chick.
As to the cornish x mine are now 3 1/2 weeks and they are eating machines. But at first they slept alot now they sleep very close to the food dish so that they can get to the food quickly. I love my chicks all of them but the 3 meat chickens I'm actually looking forward to butchering because they are eating me out of house and home...lol

 

[swampducks]

The little partially paralyzed BR chick sure it s fighter! He hobbles around on his knees, he can flex his toes but just can't seem to coordinate his legs. But he eats, and drinks and otherwise is a nice little chick. Had to chastise a guinea for picking on him. The others are all bouncing now.

But back to the meat chicks, they have discovered food and water and seem quite happy doing their thing. They are still so cute, I can't imagine eating them. Everyone tells me they won't be cute for long.