New chick Mom with some questions...

[MydearWatson]

Hi! We picked up our two Silkie chicks from the breeder this morning!

We've been having a blast watching them.

I've seen a lot of posts about sick chicks that are sleepy. Mine eat, drink, play and poop so I'm sure they are healthy but they seem to sleep a lot too, one more than the other. How do I know if they are "too sleepy"?

I have a 75 watt red flood light going. The thermometer is under the lamp and it says it is 101. They have plenty of room to get out of the heat if needed. Now that they are warmed up after their trip home, they seem to stay around the light but not directly under it. It seems a little hot to me but they seem comfortable, is this ok?

I'm sure Ill have a ton more questions but these are the ones that seem to worry me a little now.

Thanks!

P.S. they are 3 days old.

 

[Tikkijane]

They say 95 for the first week, lower by 5 degrees each week therafter. That being said, mine were acting like they were too hot when it was at 95, but seem to really like it just over 90 (when they were brand new).

What is the temp where the chicks are? It's going to be a lot hotter right under the light vs the ground where the chicks are. You may think about putting the thermometer more near where the chicks are to get an idea of what the temp is where they are. I would rather have them a little cooler than too hot, which can kill them. If they are huddled under the light, they are too cold. If they are at the other end away from the light and spread out, they are too hot.

I also don't have the lamp right on the food/wate, because they can get too hot while eating. You can try putting the lamp up higer (to lower the temp) and see how they do.

Good luck!

 

[Judy]

101 probably is a little hot. Mine would never even accept the 95, or 90 the next week, always moved away till I dropped the temp some. Let them tell you; it is very good you have room for them to move away.

New chicks sleep a lot. They eat a lot, run and play hard, and sleep a lot. They even fall asleep wherever they are -- face in the food, on top of another one, hanging over something, standing up then fall over -- you will probably see it all. It's like they run themselves exhausted and then drop where they stand.

 

[MydearWatson]

I moved the box away from the light a bit and it cooled down to about 95-ish. They got up and played when I moved the box and then went over under the light, curled up and fell asleep. I'm thinking that means that the way I had it worked for them. They didn't seem cold and now they are moved closer to the light. I guess if it a'int broke dont fix it!

I had read some posts about it being to hot and killing them, thats what made me worry about the temp of 101. But if they were that hot, wouldnt they be panting?

I moved the thermometer around and they have a range from 101-85 degrees...

 

[Celtic Chick]

If they are not directly underneath the light all the time, it is safe to pull the light back some & make it cooler. Just keep an eye on the chicks. Their behavior will tell you if they are cold. If you have the light off to one side of the brooder with plenty of space for them to get away from the light, it is also fine to leave it where it is. With only 2 chicks, they don't have alot of other chicks to help to keep them warm. Keep the thermometer directly under the lamp so you know the warmest temp in the brooder. As long as they have room to get away if they're too hot, it's fine. If they are getting as far as they can away from the light, then it is too hot. And lower the temp. by 5 degrees every week. They should be fine.
Enjoy your new babies!

Helpful links for newbies:
http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-care/chapter-4-caring-for-baby-chicks.aspx
http://www.tractorsupply.com/content/knowhow/chicks/livestock_care_caring_for_new_chicks
http://www.tractorsupply.com/conten.../livestock_care_raising_poultry_expert_advice

 

[MydearWatson]

Thanks for the help everyone! If I went by just what they are telling me, I'd say they were pretty happy.

They have quite a range to find a comfy spot so I think they will be ok. I just like to do things by the book and 101 is definitely not the 95 I read about everywhere.

One other thing, do they call out for their Moms? Once in awhile one will get up really tall and will chirp really loud for a minute or so. Almost like it is calling out to its Mom or other chicks. Is this what is going on or is it something more or do they just do that sometimes? They also seem to react to the sound of the wild birds outside.

I had no idea I would worry about these babies so much!

 

[Tikkijane]

Quote:
Only once in a while?

If mine are awake, they are making noise. They particularly get loud when one has found something and then goes racing around.

As a rule, I can usually hear them in the other room. T hey do get louder when they can't see someone unless it's nighttime. I have more than two, though.

Babies = worry. Don't care what kind!