Scared chickys! Help!

[JazzyChicks]

Ok awesome! I make (and have since the day I got them home) little clicky sounds with my tongue. It seems to calm them down a bit and lets them know I'm there. The dogs think I'm calling for them too. I think I'm going to try giving them some treats (mealworms, strawberries and maybe a slice or two of tomatoes) as their are about 2 weeks old now. I'm pretty happy they huddle. They do run around like crazy when I'm trying to pick someone up though. Thats when the leghorn gets the most riled up and flighty...

At what age do they start to feather out? I've noticed what looks like some feathers coming up around the top parts of their wings but I'm not sure. I hope its not because their pecking each other. It gets pretty warm in the room they are in as well. I've been trying to regulate the heat lamp by bringing it up but it doesn't seem to matter...

 

[hildar]

Ok awesome! I make (and have since the day I got them home) little clicky sounds with my tongue. It seems to calm them down a bit and lets them know I'm there. The dogs think I'm calling for them too. I think I'm going to try giving them some treats (mealworms, strawberries and maybe a slice or two of tomatoes) as their are about 2 weeks old now. I'm pretty happy they huddle. They do run around like crazy when I'm trying to pick someone up though. Thats when the leghorn gets the most riled up and flighty...

At what age do they start to feather out? I've noticed what looks like some feathers coming up around the top parts of their wings but I'm not sure. I hope its not because their pecking each other. It gets pretty warm in the room they are in as well. I've been trying to regulate the heat lamp by bringing it up but it doesn't seem to matter...

They are 2 weeks old, and you still have them under a heat lamp???? well that is an issue in itself. I never had a heat lamp on mine at that age. Shut it off, if they cool off to much they will let you know believe me.

 

[Luckybaby]

Ok awesome! I make (and have since the day I got them home) little clicky sounds with my tongue. It seems to calm them down a bit and lets them know I'm there. The dogs think I'm calling for them too. I think I'm going to try giving them some treats (mealworms, strawberries and maybe a slice or two of tomatoes) as their are about 2 weeks old now. I'm pretty happy they huddle. They do run around like crazy when I'm trying to pick someone up though. Thats when the leghorn gets the most riled up and flighty...

At what age do they start to feather out? I've noticed what looks like some feathers coming up around the top parts of their wings but I'm not sure. I hope its not because their pecking each other. It gets pretty warm in the room they are in as well. I've been trying to regulate the heat lamp by bringing it up but it doesn't seem to matter...

When most part of a chick's body is covered with feathers, then it is sure that they can live without heat lamp or without their mom. Some chicks develop fast while others develop slowly. Research about it in the internet if you are not sure.

 

[donrae]

They are 2 weeks old, and you still have them under a heat lamp???? well that is an issue in itself. I never had a heat lamp on mine at that age. Shut it off, if they cool off to much they will let you know believe me.

I'm not sure what ambient temps you're brooding at, but 2 week old chicks pretty much need supplemental heat. A 2 week old chick raised by a momma will still go under her to warm up occasionally during the day, and sleep under her at night. Now, if your ambient temp is in the 90+, you probably can get by without heating.

 

[hildar]

I'm not sure what ambient temps you're brooding at, but 2 week old chicks pretty much need supplemental heat. A 2 week old chick raised by a momma will still go under her to warm up occasionally during the day, and sleep under her at night. Now, if your ambient temp is in the 90+, you probably can get by without heating.

Yeah it usually is in the 80's and 90s. However this year not so much but my house is nice and warm, If she turns the heat light off for awhile they will be fine, then back on when they start complaining. She already stated it was very warm in the room, they will be fine without a heat lamp on them 24/7 at this point. Mine stay in the house until they are 3 weeks. Then they go out to the closed in porch for 2 weeks no heat lamps, then outside. I have been raising chicks for 20+ years and before that my dad raised chickens for over 60 years. I learned from him, and believe me to much heat is not good for them.

 

[JazzyChicks]

Oh gosh I got so worried I was overheating them. Thank you for the info. I had read that their first week should be about 95 degrees and subtract 5 degrees each week after that (usually by raising the lamp a couple inches) until the temprature in their cage/kennel is the same as outside. I've been keeping the room door closed due to a new arrival (a 2 year old male pitbull whom of which i know nothing of other than he doesn't "get along" with cats... hmmmm) and I wanted to be sure he isn't gunna get to them. I raised the light and put up the baby gate to keep everyone away but give them some air circulation and cool the room. Also gave 'em some meal worms for their first treat.

 

[hildar]

Oh gosh I got so worried I was overheating them. Thank you for the info. I had read that their first week should be about 95 degrees and subtract 5 degrees each week after that (usually by raising the lamp a couple inches) until the temprature in their cage/kennel is the same as outside. I've been keeping the room door closed due to a new arrival (a 2 year old male pitbull whom of which i know nothing of other than he doesn't "get along" with cats... hmmmm) and I wanted to be sure he isn't gunna get to them. I raised the light and put up the baby gate to keep everyone away but give them some air circulation and cool the room. Also gave 'em some meal worms for their first treat.

Yeah you don't want them to be to hot.

 

[donrae]

Oh gosh I got so worried I was overheating them. Thank you for the info. I had read that their first week should be about 95 degrees and subtract 5 degrees each week after that (usually by raising the lamp a couple inches) until the temprature in their cage/kennel is the same as outside. I've been keeping the room door closed due to a new arrival (a 2 year old male pitbull whom of which i know nothing of other than he doesn't "get along" with cats... hmmmm) and I wanted to be sure he isn't gunna get to them. I raised the light and put up the baby gate to keep everyone away but give them some air circulation and cool the room. Also gave 'em some meal worms for their first treat.

I agree that overall most folks over heat their chicks.

When you read the specific temps they should be at, that is NOT the entire brooder. It's an area, one part of their living space. They do need most of the brooder to be ambient temp. The idea is to go to the warm area to sleep or just warm up, then out and about to eat, etc. Keeping the chick's entire living space that warm constantly isn't good for them.

 

[foreverlearning]

Oh gosh I got so worried I was overheating them. Thank you for the info. I had read that their first week should be about 95 degrees and subtract 5 degrees each week after that (usually by raising the lamp a couple inches) until the temprature in their cage/kennel is the same as outside. I've been keeping the room door closed due to a new arrival (a 2 year old male pitbull whom of which i know nothing of other than he doesn't "get along" with cats... hmmmm) and I wanted to be sure he isn't gunna get to them. I raised the light and put up the baby gate to keep everyone away but give them some air circulation and cool the room. Also gave 'em some meal worms for their first treat.

I have a large brooder that I keep at hot/cool. The temps are to much stress for me and not healthy for the chicks. Stronger chicks come from running in and out of the heat as needed. I have the feed and water in the middle and they get to choose what temp they want. I have also found that since doing it this way I no longer have to deal with pasty butt (side effect of too much heat), they feather out more like chicks with a broody mom, and they are much stronger.

 

[flickerloo]

The day after I got my chicks, and they were maybe four days old, I picked up each of them, one at a time. They were scared, but I cupped my hands around them and gently stroked the side of their head/neck. After a few minutes, they would fall asleep. When they woke up, I'd lower them back into the brooder and let them hop off my hands. After that, they associated my hands with comfort. Then I offered them some chick scratch, and they ate from my hands. Now they know that hands are ok, and they come scrambling out to meet me whenever I stick my hands in their box.