New chicks acting strange

[Allegra17]

We just brought home our 2 week old baby chicks. We have 2 of them (we have 3 hens outside that they will join when they’re old enough). They seem so frightened in my brooder. I tested the temperature before putting them in and it’s right around 90 degrees at the ground under the light, give or take 1 degree or so depending on the temp in our house.

They’ve been in here for about 3 hours and still are too scared to look around. They started trying to eat the hemp bedding so I put paper towels over it. They checked out their crumble feed but seemed to spit all the pieces out. They’ve just been cuddled together in the corner. Is this normal? When will they start to explore? I’m worried they are going to get hungry or thirsty and not know where the food/water is or that the temperature is wrong?

 

[CCsGarden]

The might be trying to get away from the heat I would put the lamp half over so the can go under it is they like. I'm sorry I don't know much on how to help.

 

[CCsGarden]

If you just got them today they may need time to adjust to their new home.

 

[GlicksChicks]

With chicks, I have never had an issue with them being scared of a new place. As chicks I would think they wouldn't get so attached to a place that a new place would scare them.

A heat plate could be a good option for you so that the chicks can get out from under the heat whenever they feel like cooling down. Like they would with a mother hen.

 

[Allegra17]

With chicks, I have never had an issue with them being scared of a new place. As chicks I would think they wouldn't get so attached to a place that a new place would scare them.

A heat plate could be a good option for you so that the chicks can get out from under the heat whenever they feel like cooling down. Like they would with a mother hen.

I just got this today. Should I leave the lamp on the coop while this heats up? How will I know when I can switch it out? https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CH8P1NDL?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[FrostRanger]

You can switch to the plate now, no need to wait. Your chicks won't freeze to death in the time it takes to heat up so just remove the lamp and switch the plate on

 

[Allegra17]

You can switch to the plate now, no need to wait. Your chicks won't freeze to death in the time it takes to heat up so just remove the lamp and switch the plate on

Okay I switched it and heated it up. Do I need to show them how to go under the plate? How do I know if it’s warm enough? These chicks are interesting. They don’t want to go under it. They are still just cuddled together but now next to it. I’m so scared they’re going to get too cold and die!

 

[FrostRanger]

Put a few underneath it to show them what it is and they should figure it out. It should be plenty warm enough, don't worry, if they're too cold, you'll know it from the other side of the house lol. It's also possible that the side is providing enough warmth for them. After you show them that it's warm underneath, if they're peeping quietly amongst themselves, they're probably just not cold. They'll go underneath as needed

 

[GlicksChicks]

I just got this today. Should I leave the lamp on the coop while this heats up? How will I know when I can switch it out? https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CH8P1NDL?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I do not have that one but I would guess you can just put your hand under it and see how it feels. I would turn the lamp off after having it heat up for an hour or so.

Once it heats up it would be good to put the 2 chicks under it so they know where the new heat source is. Another benefit to the plate is that it gives them a dark place to hide instead of being out in the open 24/7.