Stressed new chick and temperature

[BackAcre]

I am not sure if this is an emergency or not, but I am hoping for some advice in quick order and thought posting is the best way-
I picked up 3 chicks today from 2 different places - 2 buff orphingtons (day old and few weeks old) and an americana (about 4 weeks old). They were all in the same box for travel and then the same container under the heat lamp. The Americana (oldest) went to the farthest side away from the lamp and just huddled and slept. She had very laboured breathing. I took her out and put her in a box away from the heat lamp until her breathing calmed down. She is still huddled and breathing heavier than the other 2, but now has her head up and is eating and drinking. I am wondering what I should do for temperature? I have always been told to keep them warm, but it seemed like she got overheated under the lamp, as she is more feathered than the other 2. It is almost time for bed and I don't know if she should be under the lamp over night or if that is too much for her? The temp with the younger birds is about 95, where she is now it is about 80.

 

[Kathy Golla]

You sound like you have good intuition. A 4 week old chick does not need the same heat as a day old chick.
Make sure the day old can get warm and the 4 week old can get away from heat if she wants to. And move closer to heat if she wants to.
The Americauna may have just been stressed out where she was. Labored breathing tells me she may be too hot.

 

[frostic]

You sound like you have good intuition. A 4 week old chick does not need the same heat as a day old chick.
Make sure the day old can get warm and the 4 week old can get away from heat if she wants to. And move closer to heat if she wants to.
The Americauna may have just been stressed out where she was. Labored breathing tells me she may be too hot.

Kathy is right. when i got my chicks they did the same thing once they was about 5 weeks old i had to take out the heat lamp because they was doing the same thing.

 

[BackAcre]

Thank you for those words and suggestions. I was concerned for her because of her lethargy, but she survived the night, and since putting her back in with her friends she has perked up significantly. She definitely doesn't have the energy of the two younger buff orphingtons (who are crazy!) but I wouldn't flag her as having a problem either if I didn't already know she was recovering. I love the advice and encouragement I get from this group - being a newbie chicken owner is nerve wracking!

 

[MissChick@dee]

I bought a simple cheap thermometer and used it when mine were small chickens. Now I use it in the pen on their coop. Always keep enough room so they can get close or away from heat sources. Chickens are addictive!!! Kinda like potato chips....you can’t have just one. Lol