What's the difference between sleepy and lethargic?

[Snow mom]

I'm raising chicks for the first time and I can't figure out where the line lies between normal sleepy baby and lethargic. Specifically I'm worried about coccidia but I can't figure out if I'm worried because I tend to worry or if I have reason to be concerned. The chicks are about 2 weeks old? (I've had them since last Friday and they all had at least little pins of wing feathers at that point, some are now starting tails). I had them on organic starter with ACV in their water but just switched them back to medicated starter and am planning on continuing that for the next month or so. All the chicks are eating and drinking on their own but the smallest (youngest judging by feather development) is a bit sleepier than the rest and closes it's eyes if you pick it up and cradle it in your hand. What should I be watching for to determine if the chicks are sleeping a normal amount or are lethargic?

Also, I had my brooder at 90 on the warm end and 85 on the cool end and all the chicks were hanging out and sleeping at the warm end. If I turn off the light and the whole thing drops to 85 (we're in warmville) the chicks seem to be more active and they aren't huddling. Should I just leave the light off at this point? Is it normal that being in a warm brooder makes them less active?

 

[n8ivetxn]

Chicks sleep a lot. At 2 weeks old, they're through the most treacherous growth period. - I would suggest lowering your temps a little, adjust the lamp away a little more, they may be too warm. I wouldn't turn it completely off, just yet, even though your in a warm location. - the little one that your watching, maybe it's a bit dehydrated. If you go to the feed store, get some "rooster booster" vitamin/probios and add it to their water....you can also get a syringe without the needle and give the chick some.

If they were vaccinated, you don't need to give medicated starter (fyi).

A lethargic chick sometimes doesn't look right, it's eyes tell you it doesn't feel good.

 

[Snow mom]

Chicks sleep a lot. At 2 weeks old, they're through the most treacherous growth period. - I would suggest lowering your temps a little, adjust the lamp away a little more, they may be too warm. I wouldn't turn it completely off, just yet, even though your in a warm location. - the little one that your watching, maybe it's a bit dehydrated. If you go to the feed store, get some "rooster booster" vitamin/probios and add it to their water....you can also get a syringe without the needle and give the chick some.

If they were vaccinated, you don't need to give medicated starter (fyi).

A lethargic chick sometimes doesn't look right, it's eyes tell you it doesn't feel good.

Thanks, I went ahead and got some vitamins & electrolyte mix to add to the water for now. Is it okay to do the vitamins & electrolytes along with the ACV? I also turned the lamp back on about 6 inches higher than it was. I'm fairly certain my chicks aren't vaccinated--they are from Ideal Poultry and I believe vaccination isn't standard. Hopefully the little chick will perk up like its friends--it's my daughters favorite (currently in my avatar) so of course it's the most important chick.

 

[n8ivetxn]

Yes, hopefully she perks up! - If she isn't displaying any symptoms of illness, just being tired, I think she's good.... Since I've never used ACV, I'm not sure if you can mix it with the electrolyte. ...If they were mine, I'd stop the ACV for now.... just me... Can you give her a little yogurt? The probiotics in it may help her feel better, and they love it!

 

[n8ivetxn]

- Good to have ya'll here!

 

[Snow mom]

I thought I'd update because I've read so many threads here and wondered how things turned out. The chicks are still doing well almost a week after my initial concern so I guess the answer was "sleepy". In fact they are looking less sleepy and more energetic every day. Much of what had me concerned was wing posture (having read that droopy wings was a sign of coccidia). Novice mistake here: the chick who looked like it's wings were droopy turns out to have wing feathers that are growing in as if maybe it is a hatchery sizzle (so the frizzling of the feathers was throwing me off on how the wings were being held.) Oops but I'm glad she seems to be okay.