Lethargic chicks

[Birde]

I kinda agree with you about the grit but when they are young their gizzard isn't strong enough to digest shavings. Unfortunately most chicks are shipped that way. I just sprinkle a small amount in with food. Kinda like seasoning. Better safe. I never saw a need for grit with chicks early on when I first started with birds. I had a bad experience with shipped birds. I really needed it then. Now I won't go without it. About 3 times a week I mix some in the feed of my larger birds. I see the difference in the poop almost rite away. Could be my imagination, but I certain I'm doing the rite thing for their health

 

[leadwolf1]

Do not worry about handling your chicks. I have never heard anyone else caution someone against handling them. I handle mine from day 1 whether I incubate and hatch or purchase them. They become very friendly that way and are much easier to handle if something happens and you need to treat or medicate. In the past year, I've raised about 100 birds and have not lost a chick. Both my sons and I handle them twice daily...and as often as we can in between.

 

[leadwolf1]

Chick starter does not contain grit. If you start feeding another other than starter, they need grit to aid in digestion. I start putting grit in their brooder from about 1 week...they love to dig and scratch it up. If they were outside with their moms, they would get grit naturally. I've never had one eat too much grit or too many pine shavings. I use papertowels for the first week and then just the shavings after they have really started eating well. Again, if they were outside with mom, they would be munching on anything their little beaks could pick up.

Fluids are a must, can't rely on a sick chick to wonder over to the food or water. If the chick is that lethargic I suggest hand feeding it the Save-a-Chik or drench from a dropper or syringe. Usually you just put a drop on their beak and they will either drink it or shake it off if they are not interested. I soak their food in it and get it all mushed up too and once they are perking up a bit I try to get a little of the mush in them too. I have never supplied grit to a chick, I have always heard they will eat anything and could eat too much grit, wood shavings etc? Chick food should be balanced to give everything they need without adding extra grit at this young age.

 

[Birde]

I caution against too much handling at a young age because they are are fragile & you can't get children not to do it if they see you doing it. Of course I handle my chicks but as little as possible. They are not toys. I give them interaction by wiggling my fingers in their bedding. They get very excited. I break up meal worms & drop them on them. Also I use a babies medicine dropper to dispense water the first day by placing on beak. After that they flock to it almost as if it was a treat. I do this the first week or two. They tend to miss me if I'm not around. By the time they are old enough for their run when I sit on the ground with them they will think of me as protector till the become adapted. I was up till 10pm with them putting them up. They came to they door waiting to be brought to their cages. They are my babies. I have frizzles, sizzles, ducks, meat birds, assorted pullets, & a few other. Bantams in the brooder. I'm ready for a break.
About the hay. I've used regular hay. I just hate pine shavings how they get in the water, food & I know the chicks eat the stuff. I have a full bag in my shed that I will probly use for mulch. I bought to use in the brooder for my meat birds (the superpoopers) 2 days was all I could stand of pine shavings. Then they got regular hay. Keep in mind that the Alfalfa hay comes wrapped in plastic & should have no parasites. I just love the stuff. I payed 17.00 for a bail last week. The price keeps going up

 

[leadwolf1]

I didn't mean any disrespect by what I said. Some new chickens owners are very concerned with doing everything right. I don't want those who want to cuddle their birds to be thinking that they are doing something wrong by handling them.

I do, however, disagree with the statement that you can't stop children from handling. I've raised 4 kids along with a large variety of animals. None of them have ever tried to handle without permission. They were taught, from day one, that I had to be present for them to touch. I've raised many akitas, chinchillas, hamsters, chickens, cats and even a few baby birds along with my kids....no animal has ever been hurt by one of my kids. They start handling animals as soon as they can, the earlier the better, and they know what is right or wrong to do.

You are right, they aren't toys...no animal is...and, children need to learn and respect that.

Sorry, I will come down off my soap box now.

I'm glad you enjoy your babies and that they enjoy you That's why most of us start raising chickens to begin with

I caution against too much handling at a young age because they are are fragile & you can't get children not to do it if they see you doing it. Of course I handle my chicks but as little as possible. They are not toys. I give them interaction by wiggling my fingers in their bedding. They get very excited. I break up meal worms & drop them on them. Also I use a babies medicine dropper to dispense water the first day by placing on beak. After that they flock to it almost as if it was a treat. I do this the first week or two. They tend to miss me if I'm not around. By the time they are old enough for their run when I sit on the ground with them they will think of me as protector till the become adapted. I was up till 10pm with them putting them up. They came to they door waiting to be brought to their cages. They are my babies. I have frizzles, sizzles, ducks, meat birds, assorted pullets, & a few other. Bantams in the brooder. I'm ready for a break.
About the hay. I've used regular hay. I just hate pine shavings how they get in the water, food & I know the chicks eat the stuff. I have a full bag in my shed that I will probly use for mulch. I bought to use in the brooder for my meat birds (the superpoopers) 2 days was all I could stand of pine shavings. Then they got regular hay. Keep in mind that the Alfalfa hay comes wrapped in plastic & should have no parasites. I just love the stuff. I payed 17.00 for a bail last week. The price keeps going up

 

[Birde]

I didn't think of this til a few minutes ago. I've heard you shouldn't handle roosters when they are young. Never asked for a explanation. I know when I first started with chickens the roosters I raised were very non social & I couldn't understand why. I loved them & handled them often when young. The roosters I have now are very social.1 at about 6 months demanded attention. Now he is the best I've owned. I believe each bird to be born with a personality as humans are. I adopted a silver phoenix rooster 6 months ago. He was raised by a woman & he 2 children. They loved him & tried to tame him but he is the craziest bird I ever saw. He got lose this morning. As usual he was not a problem to catch. He just runs to me & attacks. The previous owner couldn't take his insanity. I put up with El diablo hoping to some day change him. He's still a good breeder. So maybe there is something to what I was told about not handling roosters as chicks. Anyway just stick to what works for you.

 

[leadwolf1]

My mom always said that a pet rooster was a mean rooster. Her reasoning? They don't have any other way to ask for attention. We had the meanest roo ever, yet, she would reach down, scoop him up, pet him awhile and sit him back down. He would walk away, docile as a baby..until the next time he wanted attention.

That being said, I have had no such problems with my pet roos...except for my son's silkie

 

[Birde]

You would be amazed by my Rooster Cogburn. He is like a dog. I can be across the yard & call his name & he comes running. He has never bit me or show aggression. I agree with you on a rooster acting up for attention. I have at least 20 but only a few are aggressive to get attention. El diablo will eat out my hand 1 minute & spur me the next. I keep him caged to protect the others. I held him this morning & he bit my cheek. Then when I held him away he searched another area to bite. I held him 10 minutes. He never settled. My oldest rooster is a bantam partidge. He is beautiful. I raised him from hatching. I tried for years to tame him. He has never been aggressive. Finally we tore his old house down. I had to cage him til his new house was built. I brought him inside & after holding & petting him several times a day he is tame but he is now 8. I've had to keep him away from the other bantams because he is a non aggressive boy & they just won't accept him & he won't fight but finally tame & deserving of being pampered. I will not reward aggression. There is a time for them to get attention & they learn with time. I would not want a child to become victim to a rooster wanting attention. I plan to post more pics soon. I just have my hands full at the moment.

 

[Albanydog]

My mom always said that a pet rooster was a mean rooster. Her reasoning? They don't have any other way to ask for attention. We had the meanest roo ever, yet, she would reach down, scoop him up, pet him awhile and sit him back down. He would walk away, docile as a baby..until the next time he wanted attention.

That being said, I have had no such problems with my pet roos...except for my son's silkie

I am guessing the roosters may be very friendly to their owner/momma who gives them all the attention and not so much toward anyone who isn't their momma!

 

[leadwolf1]

He wasn't even nice to my mom...she took a baseball bat out with her to hang out laundry...but, she was the only one brave enough to scoop him up and pet him

Even she got fed up and had my dad do him in...and, she was the only one that would eat poor Harvey