Very sleepy chick

[welovechickens]

Hi,
I have an Ameraucana chick that hatched mid-day Thursday. It seemed pretty weak until late the next day, but it's finally up and running around now. The weird thing is that it sleeps almost constantly. If it's not sleeping, it is standing up with its eyes closed. I am giving them some weak sugar water today because the weak one didn't seem to be drinking enough. It eats heartily, drinks the sugar water, and struggles when I pick it up. The sleepiness is what bothers me. Should I give it a drop of baby vitamins? Could it have something wrong with its eyes? They look normal, no redness or runny stuff, and it doesn't scratch any more than what seems normal.

Thanks for any advice or ideas.

 

[Nicole01]

Half my flock was very sleepy the first week. They would be sleeping every time I looked in the brooder. I figured they were babies and needed a lot of sleep.

. They grew just fine.

 

[ScissorChick]

x2

Chicks sleep alot. I think your chick is fine!

 

[welovechickens]

Yes, I know they're tiny babies and need to sleep a lot, but I was only concerned because this one often walks around with its eyes closed. I've raised dozens of baby chicks and never seen one walk around with eyes closed before.

I guess I won't worry as long as it is eating/drinking well.

 

[Anianna]

Many of my chicks walked around with eyes closed and fell asleep on their feet in their first week. They're all fine and energetic now in their second week. If you are concerned about it, perhaps adding some electrolyte solution to the water might help. Feed stores generally carry it or make your own:

1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon sugar
1/3 tsp salt

For the record, I did not give anything to my sleepy chicks other than clean water and starter feed.