Stressed chicks

[Megaletta]

We have three day old chicks we brought home yesterday. We were still playing around with the light height before putting a chicken mesh wire “top” on the brooder. Unfortunately, my children were able to open the door and threw some toys in the brooder and grabbed one little chick before we realized what happened. I fully realize how traumatic this can be (and have added the top), and the severity of our mistake, but what major warning signs should I be looking for? Is there anything I can to help reverse stress? They are all physically unharmed, but (not surprisingly) have mostly just been sleeping since the incident -about an hour ago.
Any helpful tips would be appreciated.
thanks,

 

[EggSighted4Life]

They are all physically unharmed, but (not surprisingly) have mostly just been sleeping since the incident -about an hour ago.

Hi there welcome to BYC!

Sleeping a lot is normal for new hatched chicks. That toy incident is probably irrelevant.

Best help for stress.. proper hydration... Poultry Nutri drench is a great supplement to help give shipped chicks a boost.

I also like to crush the crumble a little extra, the chicks all seem to like the powder more.

One key.. check daily for pasty butt as it's deadly fast. clean as needed.

Pics always welcome!

Signs to look for would be not up and eating or drinking with the rest of the group, acting more tired than the rest with wing drooping, loud peeping madness. Hope all thrive!

 

[nchls school]

We have three day old chicks we brought home yesterday. We were still playing around with the light height before putting a chicken mesh wire “top” on the brooder. Unfortunately, my children were able to open the door and threw some toys in the brooder and grabbed one little chick before we realized what happened. I fully realize how traumatic this can be (and have added the top), and the severity of our mistake, but what major warning signs should I be looking for? Is there anything I can to help reverse stress? They are all physically unharmed, but (not surprisingly) have mostly just been sleeping since the incident -about an hour ago.
Any helpful tips would be appreciated.
thanks,

Chicks are pretty durable and if your child didn't squeeze too hard the chick should be fine. As long as the chicks are eating (once the get active again) and drinking there's nothing to worry about.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Unless your kids squeezed the chick hard enough to injure it, they are fine. Your stress is what needs to be treated. I suggest your favorite fruit over a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

I know it is hard with your first time with chicks but they aren't that delicate. If they have food, water, a dry brooder, and a warm spot that is not to hot they will do fine. Sometimes they walk around chirping, maybe scratch, often eat and drink. Sometimes they sleep or rest, especially f there is no activity around them. Sometimes they will scare you silly when they sleep. They stretch out and are so relaxed you think they are dead. But when you disturb them they hop up quite active and alive.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Keep the kids away from the brooder, for starters.
Let the chicks sleep. Make them some sugar water for electrolytes.

 

[nchls school]

Better yet, show your children how to care for the chicks; what to do and what not to do. Show them how to properly hold a chick and what will happen if they are too rough.

 

[Megaletta]

Hi there welcome to BYC!

Sleeping a lot is normal for new hatched chicks. That toy incident is probably irrelevant.

Best help for stress.. proper hydration... Poultry Nutri drench is a great supplement to help give shipped chicks a boost.

I also like to crush the crumble a little extra, the chicks all seem to like the powder more.

One key.. check daily for pasty butt as it's deadly fast. clean as needed.

Pics always welcome!

Signs to look for would be not up and eating or drinking with the rest of the group, acting more tired than the rest with wing drooping, loud peeping madness. Hope all thrive!

Thank you very much! One did have pasty butt but I used some lukewarm water to clean her vent. Everyone is moving around and eating and drinking again as well. Thank you!