New babies under heating pad ok?

[mooseb]

We just received our new chicks today. They have been eating and drinking well but when I leave them alone they are pretty much huddled under the heating pad. Is this normal for the first day? They seem lively enough and their eating and drinking has been good enough, that I'm not that worried just wondering if this is normal behavior or if I need to warm things up. Thank you for your help.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

That is very normal. Where did you get them? This is essentially the same way they would be under a mother hen for the first day or two, and then you will see them starting to become more active.

 

[mooseb]

Thank you so much for the quick reply. We got them from cackle hatchery. They seemed pretty good when we got them open from the post office, they shipped yesterday and we received them this morning so they weren't in transit too long. As I said they seem to be in pretty good spirits other than when they're huddled under the pad. Thanks for setting my mind at ease!

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Mine are at the post office right now, shipped from Cackle. I was not expecting them until tomorrow so they have to sit there for another two hours . I hope they are all in good condition like yours!

 

[Lemoore-on]

We just received our new chicks today. They have been eating and drinking well but when I leave them alone they are pretty much huddled under the heating pad. Is this normal for the first day? They seem lively enough and their eating and drinking has been good enough, that I'm not that worried just wondering if this is normal behavior or if I need to warm things up. Thank you for your help.

we got ours yesterday and they are pretty much doing the same thing. they come out eat, drink, run around for a bit then back under for a while. Then they do it all over again. I remember when I raised chickens the 1st time (many years ago) watching them do the same thing from under a broody hen.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Thank you so much for the quick reply. We got them from cackle hatchery. They seemed pretty good when we got them open from the post office, they shipped yesterday and we received them this morning so they weren't in transit too long. As I said they seem to be in pretty good spirits other than when they're huddled under the pad. Thanks for setting my mind at ease!

I too agree they sound like they are doing well and just getting used to their new surroundings. I use a heat plate and they sure do like to get under there for a warm and to charge up before they come out again.
Good luck with your new babies.

Mine are at the post office right now, shipped from Cackle. I was not expecting them until tomorrow so they have to sit there for another two hours . I hope they are all in good condition like yours!

Good luck with your new chicks Cackle sure do sound like they do good shipping of the chicks.

 

[debid]

They spend a good amount of time sleeping at first but as long as there are bursts of activity, all is well! If they were cold, they'd complain incessantly and loudly. Believe me, you'd know!

 

[mooseb]

Thanks everybody. We're using a heat plate and it seems good so far. We weren't expecting them until tomorrow too,today was a surprise so I let my kids be late to school so they could help be set up the brooder and get the chicks from the post office. I'm sure they're dying to come home! Good luck with all your chicks.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

They spend a good amount of time sleeping at first but as long as there are bursts of activity, all is well! If they were cold, they'd complain incessantly and loudly. Believe me, you'd know!

SO TRUE!
Congrats on your new additions @mooseb - and welcome to the obsession that is chickens!