New to raising and caring for pullets...I've got two that don't seem right

[Flockandfowl46]

I'm also thinking too hot...they have wing feathers, turn off that light hun doesn't sound like they need it

 

[BreanneRN]

Oh, and if those brown chicks have greenish legs they might be Easter Eggers...

 

[ronott1]

I hope the sick one gets better!

 

[travelingtacks]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...growth-helpful-if-youre-unsure-of-age.884353/ found this link that I hope will work that will help you figure out about how old your chicks actually are... The feed store gave you instructions on how to care for them when they are day olds and they are 1 to 2 weeks...

Good morning.
Can't thank you enough again for all your replies and info.

Unfortunately the bloated RIR did pass yesterday, found her in the morning. I really thought she would pull through, as she was eating and drinking some and I had observed her pooping, which appeared to look normal in color, shape and consistency. My husband says, sometimes it's just nature's course and the weaker of the pack/flock will die off for the others to thrive. I suppose so....

Anyhoo, the rest appear to be doing well. All have feathered wings. All are very active, running and flighty and we can see they are getting bigger. All are eating and drinking well and love to go after moths, flies and grasshoppers that mistakenly find their way into the chicks pen area. It's been a few years since I last had my older laying hens and I had forgotten just how entertaining these guys can be!

I'll check out those links you included, thank you. I have been keeping the heat lamp off during the day hours, which seems to be working and I also put a fan in the garage to circulate the air/warmth. The fan air is not directed at their space, it's actually more upward and again just to keep the garage warm air moving and comfortable. The fan is only on during the day hours when its warmer. The tank temps stay near 90/high 80's and the birds seem ok with that. At times we have seen them huddle together in a group/bunch and I will turn on the lamp for a few to warm up the space and turn back off when the temps rise up again.

Now I'm off to find a thread area specifically on raising these young! Lots of questions about their feed, when can we introduce greens and produce scraps, housing and when they can be placed into their outdoor facility as well as preparing for the upcoming fall/winter and keeping them comfortable. My gosh these chicks are a handful! Adopting my hens older was so much less stressful and having them in coastal CA eliminated the high/cold temps an no real seasons...Now in SE AZ, as we acclimate ourselves, we also have to relearn about the birds temp needs for season changes! Luckily no mounds of snow, just dusting and freezing does occur.

Many thanks. Have a blessed day!
- D Tack from SE AZ

 

[BreanneRN]

Sorry to hear about your RIR , but yeah, husband is right and we all experience casualties with chickens, whether it be from accident, predator, or genetic problem, it is a part of keeping chickens. There will be losses. But you did your best to save her and can take comfort from that. Going forward, I would be preparing a place for these birds outdoors, they will grow quickly and could go outside by 4 to 6 wks, some in good weather put them out sooner! For you, less than a month away. Look for a shady place to locate your run, if you haven't already, if you have deciduous trees that shed leaves in the fall, that will give them some warmth from the sun in the winter when they need it, shade in spring and summer when they don't. For a chicken house, always find or build one with plenty of ventilation that is accessable and easy to clean... Eventually, when they are completely feathered out, it will just be too hot in the garage for them. Wishing you well and enjoy your feathered friends! Oh, and ....