New chicken owner with a chick question.

[Choctawmongo]

I have 4 Rhode Island Red chicks. Two of them usually are running around, but the other two sit around a lot. One chick more than the other. Is she just lazy? When I open the brooder, they all run around and cheep, but after I close it, the one just commences to sitting. Do I have an issue? If so, what do I look for? It appears that they eat and drink. Thanks in advance.

 

[Avalongirl83]

Babies sleep a lot. As long as being lazy is the only symptom, I'd say you are okay but keep a close eye on them for any other symptoms. If they stop running when you open the coop, if they cheep loudly, constantly for no apparent reason, then look to seperate and worry.

 

[cafarmgirl]

How long have you had them? What are the temps in your brooder, are they able to move away from the heat source to a cooler area? I am always very suspicious of coccidiosis when I see lethargic chicks. But in very new chicks just days old lethargy can also be stress or failure to thrive.

 

[Choctawmongo]

Thanks for the response! I will keep my eye on her. Her eyes look good and she does not appear to be in distress. I'm just a worry wort daddy.

 

[Choctawmongo]

The temps go from 90 degrees down to around 75 or so (using my digital thermometer). I've had them for a week on Friday. They are probably two weeks or so old. They are learning to fly if that's an indication of age. We feed them dumor medicated chic food and they have electrolytes added to the water. They can move around to escape the warm part of the brooder.