new chicks, one panting and droopy wings

[mamarose]

Hi, I just picked up our 10 chicks a couple hours ago. One of the RIRs looks like it's panting and its wings are drooping down to the floor. It keeps winding up under the heat lamp, and I've moved it a couple times, thinking it was too hot, but then it seems to wake up for a minute and then find its way back to the heat lamp. Any ideas what I can do? The one thing I'm scared of is that my 5yo might have squeezed it too tight when he picked it up. It was kinda crazy trying to hold the kids back while I got the chicks moved into their aquarium brooder (which I now realise is too small) and warmed up. Is this any sort of normal behavior or are we going to lose this one? Is there anything I can do to perk it up and make it feel better? The others all seem quite content with the temperature, just a little short of space, but I'm about to move them into a big box.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

They need a way to get away from the heat. Give them some shade when you get them moved over.

 

[P0U1TRYP3RS0N]

Okay, how are the other chicks acting? If everyone in the brooder is panting, holding their wings down, they may just be too warm. Also check if everyone's running from the heat lamp.
IF NOT, AND IT'S JUST THIS ONE CHICK...Im really sorry, but generally once the wings go down...things arent looking good. I mix up a little poweraide and water. Dip its beak, and get some down it. If you set it down and it shows interest in the water, thats a REALLY good sign they're not too far gone. But if not....Not good.

 

[mamarose]

the others are fine. running around, climbing on each other, falling asleep for a few seconds at a time. they seem perfectly happy. and this one seems to want to be under the light, she keeps going back there even if I move her....

we only have one heat lamp, so not sure how to separate her.

 

[mamarose]

OK, moved the others to a big box, the droopy one is alone. She did seem to take some sugar water from my finger, but doesn't seem interested in the water or food that's beside her. the others are all fine.

Ack, I did my best to prepare my kids for the fact that some chicks die, but I guess I didn't prepare myself. Not feeling good about this at all. :-(