New Babies Plus A Question

[ChickenChick46]

Okay, y'all. These chicks are so different from my first 4. Guess that shouldn't be a surprise, but here we are. They're younger, maybe, than my first 4 were when I got them?

I don't know what days of the week Rural King gets their chicks, but I got these babies on Sunday, and there were like, hardly any feathers at all. I'm including pictures from just now.

They seem more low key and like they sleep more. But they're eating and drinking, they peep happily, they come out from under the brooder plate when I walk in and talk to them. They seem healthy, just different than the first ones.

The silkie had a pasty butt right when we got home, and twice since, but none today. It's demeanor never changed, so I think I caught it and fixed it.

My question is, do y'all see that pine shaving stuck to one's wing? Will that come off on its own? It's only in the fluff, not cut into it or anything. It doesn't seem to be bothering the chick, just me. But I'm afraid that pulling at it will hurt the baby or pull the down out.

Bonus, why in the world does it lay on its back (last picture)? It gives me a heart attack! It jumps right up and seems fine, but why?!

 

[ChickenChick46]

Also, is my silkie actually going to be black? I feel like it's a little lighter than it was on Sunday. I never thought I'd want silkies, but I've gotta say, this baby is really growing on me. I've called it Pippin.

 

[vivarium]

maybe switch the bedding to a puppy pee pad with some pine shavings instead of wood chips? i am not an expert but perhaps its little toes are struggling to grip the ground with the wood chips LOL they're so pathetic <3

 

[ChickenChick46]

maybe switch the bedding to a puppy pee pad with some pine shavings instead of wood chips? i am not an expert but perhaps its little toes are struggling to grip the ground with the wood chips LOL they're so pathetic <3

Maybe that would help. They're definitely smaller than my first group, so that would make sense. I know that it tries to make my heart stop when it does it, lol.

 

[Slothinc]

I would just grab the wood chip and pull it off, do it quick, it will be like yanking off a bandaid But maybe that is why the chick is laying on its back? To dislodge it?

 

[ChickenChick46]

I would just grab the wood chip and pull it off, do it quick, it will be like yanking off a bandaid But maybe that is why the chick is laying on its back? To dislodge it?

It's a different chick, lol. Those 2 are almost identical. The one on its back doesn't have the shaving on it. I think it likes scaring me, because it turns right over and peeps. It isn't like it always does it or anything, but I've caught it twice.

 

[vivarium]

Maybe that would help. They're definitely smaller than my first group, so that would make sense. I know that it tries to make my heart stop when it does it, lol.

i feel you. i thought my chicks were dying. turns out they were just taking naps LOL. the anxiety!!!!

 

[ChickenChick46]

i feel you. i thought my chicks were dying. turns out they were just taking naps LOL. the anxiety!!!!

It's real! I told my husband I haven't worried so much since our kids were younger.

 

[Ridgerunner]

It is amazing how well young chicks can relax when they are sleeping or sometimes just laying around. Not a care in the world. But if they jump up when disturbed they are OK. Over the years there have been several threads on here where people were scared silly when they saw the chicks spread out like that. Sure wish I could relax like that.

I don't know why that wood shaving is stuck like that. I'd think it somehow got glued to some down. If it is stuck to the skin I'd let it be. Stuck to down I might try to pull it off. Or get some scissors and trim it in size. It should come off on its own fairly soon.

 

[ChickenChick46]

It is amazing how well young chicks can relax when they are sleeping or sometimes just laying around. Not a care in the world. But if they jump up when disturbed they are OK. Over the years there have been several threads on here where people were scared silly when they saw the chicks spread out like that. Sure wish I could relax like that.

I don't know why that wood shaving is stuck like that. I'd think it somehow got glued to some down. If it is stuck to the skin I'd let it be. Stuck to down I might try to pull it off. Or get some scissors and trim it in size. It should come off on its own fairly soon.

I think it's glued on with a little poop. I did consider trimming it and letting the rest be, especially since it's not seeming to bother the chick at all.

It definitely jumps up when disturbed. I've only caught it doing that twice, and the first time was pretty bad, lol. Scared me to death.