Newbie with new babies

[Tulips08]

Hi! I'm totally new to chickens and we have our first 4 chicks! We have two Easter Eggers and two Speckled Sussex. We just brought them home from a local farm. The two SS are older (and larger) than the EEs although the farmer said they were all around 2 weeks give or take. The SS came with some feathers missing (evidently there was some pecking happening in their brooder very recently). This particular farm that I got them from is well-known in the area and was highly recommended so I'm hoping these babies are healthy.

Brooder details: I'm using a 116 qt plastic bin with a big hole in the lid covered with netting, MHP for heat, pine shavings for bedding, and medicated chick starter. They all seem pretty worn out from their 15 minute journey in the car. They're quiet and sleeping in a little pile after eating and checking out their new place (they have all found the heat and gone in and come out as they've wanted).

Should I add chick grit since I'm using pine shavings?
No one has had a drink... how do I get them to drink?
Anything else I should know or be on the lookout for?

I'm like a nervous first-time mom here... I'll add pictures later. They're SO cute! I'm just trying to let them be right now.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Should I add chick grit since I'm using pine shavings?
No one has had a drink... how do I get them to drink?
Anything else I should know or be on the lookout for?

I like to supply them with grit from the beginning. You can put it in a small container, or sprinkle a little on their food to start.

For water, as soon as you see signs of activity, I'd pick up each chick and just dip the tip of their beak in the water, then put them down. Might not even be necessary since they're a little older. They should figure it out real fast.

 

[Tulips08]

Here are the little peeps! I'm so worried the littles EEs will get squished by the big SSs. The EEs seem to be a lot more docile and sleepy than the SSs. Is that part of their temperament or could that be due to age? Maybe they'll perk a bit once they're used to their surroundings and new flock-mates?

 

[trumpeting_angel]

They sleep a lot at this age, like other babies, kittens, puppies!

I don’t know about the size difference. Someone will chime in. I had one chick who was clearly older than the others (now named Big Bird) - didn’t cause any problems.

 

[HilaryH-RI]

Hi, congrats on your new chicks! I am also a new chicken owner with 4 chickens, they are 6 weeks old now. I have 2 Rhode Island Reds and 2 Plymouth Rocks. They do sleep a lot, it is very amusing when they fall asleep in the middle of other activities! like eating or stretching a leg. They are so interesting and fun to learn about. I wish you the best!

 

[Tulips08]

Hi, congrats on your new chicks! I am also a new chicken owner with 4 chickens, they are 6 weeks old now. I have 2 Rhode Island Reds and 2 Plymouth Rocks. They do sleep a lot, it is very amusing when they fall asleep in the middle of other activities! like eating or stretching a leg. They are so interesting and fun to learn about. I wish you the best!

Very relieving to hear yours just randomly fall asleep too! I was getting concerned because the smaller two are definitely sleepier... but I honestly think they're a week younger than the bigger two, which I know in chicken-time is a lot of development. I wish you the best in this new adventure as well!

 

[rosemarythyme]

The EEs seem to be a lot more docile and sleepy than the SSs. Is that part of their temperament or could that be due to age?

I think the bigger ones are more than just a little older... just judging by my own flock photos the bigger ones look around 4 weeks and the smaller maybe 2 weeks?

EEs are pretty docile but so are SSs so there shouldn't be any issues with them getting along. Since they're already together I wouldn't bother separating them for age reasons as long as no one's getting bullied to the point of injury or being chased away from food.

Since you just got them to help them overcome the stress of being in a new home I'd add some chick vitamins and/or electrolytes to their water, if you haven't done so. There's packets like Sav-a-chick or liquids like Nutri-drench. Just dose them according to instructions for the first few days to help perk them up a bit.

 

[Tulips08]

I think the bigger ones are more than just a little older... just judging by my own flock photos the bigger ones look around 4 weeks and the smaller maybe 2 weeks?

EEs are pretty docile but so are SSs so there shouldn't be any issues with them getting along. Since they're already together I wouldn't bother separating them for age reasons as long as no one's getting bullied to the point of injury or being chased away from food.

Since you just got them to help them overcome the stress of being in a new home I'd add some chick vitamins and/or electrolytes to their water, if you haven't done so. There's packets like Sav-a-chick or liquids like Nutri-drench. Just dose them according to instructions for the first few days to help perk them up a bit.

I was thinking the SSs were closer to 3 going on 4 weeks based off of pictures I've seen and the EEs looked closer to 2, so I appreciate the confirmation there. So far no one is being pushed around and they're all happily eating food together and sleeping together just fine. The EEs keep trying to snuggle under the SSs which is why I'm nervous about them getting stepped on, but it looks like as soon as the SSs step on the EEs, the EEs get up and move. Since there are only 4 of them I'm hoping trampling will not be an issue and I'm worrying for nothing.

I put some ACV in their water, but I can give them some save-a-chick tomorrow morning when I give them fresh water.

 

[WhoDatChick]

These are my EEs... they are two weeks old.. just to compare..I think your ages are correct.. 2 weeks and 1 week..

 

[WhoDatChick]

If not exactly that.. then I would think pretty close to it..