Newbie needing help

[Bulldog4675]

Im completely new to raising chickens. My 8 year old wanted to raise them for 4H so we are giving it a shot. I brought 7 chicks home today from rural king. I have a plastic tote with 2 inches of pine shavings in the bottom. I have a heated plate for the chicks to get under and a heat lamp pointed towards the feeders. It is about 88 degrees under heat plate and about 90degrees under lamp. The chicks have been in brooder for about 2 hours. 6 of the chicks went under the plate and are asleep and not coming out. The largest chick is out and seems comfortable. Should I be worried about the smaller ones being so inactive? Im feeding medicated starter and plain water for now. At night i will turn off light and add a heating pad under the box. They were running around like crazy at rural king, but now they are quiet and staying under the plate. Maybe i'm worrying over nothing.
Chicks are Americaunas...spelling is probably wrong

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I have no experience using a heat plate. I’ve only used the heat lamp with a red bulb. Have you dipped their beaks in the water so they can get a drink? Sometimes chicks aren’t the brightest. They also might be stressed from the move.

 

[Bulldog4675]

Haven't dipped beaks. Should i pull them out and do that now or just wait tul they come out? They are being a bit more vocal now

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Haven't dipped beaks. Should i pull them out and do that now or just wait tul they come out? They are being a bit more vocal now

I would do it just as a preliminary thing. Once you do that just put them back down and they will go where they want. You are doing well and they just seemed to be scared.

 

[Melky]

When birds are happy they huddle together for warmth to sleep. Make sure found water with tip of beak only dip. If running around too chirpy unhappy and cold. If hot will pant and go to sides away from heat. Make sure can get out from under plate but sounds ok. The height of plate should just touch top of heads when standing. Adjust height of plate with growth.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Also make sure the water is very warm. It helps regulate their body temps.

 

[Melky]

Cute fluffy butts! What kind of breed?

 

[paneubert]

Take the heat lamp out...the entire purpose of the plate is to warm them. The "extra" heat source is a fire hazard and actually is probably going to be an issue since it is hotter than the plate and does not give the chicks anywhere to escape the heat. They get to choose between 88 and 90.

 

[paneubert]

Seeing it clipped (sideways) to a slick, round, metal pole also gives me a heart attack. I assume it is only pointed the way it is due to the power cord running over the rim of the tub. Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiire risk. Take it off there.

No offense. Welcome to the site. But seriously, ditch the light.

 

[Bulldog4675]

Seeing it clipped (sideways) to a slick, round, metal pole also gives me a heart attack. I assume it is only pointed the way it is due to the power cord running over the rim of the tub. Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiire risk. Take it off there.

No offense. Welcome to the site. But seriously, ditch the light.

Seeing it clipped (sideways) to a slick, round, metal pole also gives me a heart attack. I assume it is only pointed the way it is due to the power cord running over the rim of the tub. Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiire risk. Take it off there.

No offense. Welcome to the site. But seriously, ditch the light.