Worried about chicks being sick

[karmari]

I have had my chicks for a little over a week now. Some are 9 or 10 days old and some are a week older than that. They have been quite active and peeping all of the time and today they are totally lethargic and quiet. I think I had the heat lamp too close and was away all day. I had moved them into another room last night and misjudged how high the lamp had been.

I moved it higher an hour or so ago but they are still sleeping and not behaving at all like they have been. Are they sick or do they have heat exhaustion? Worried and stressed. Feedback appreciated.

 

[gritsar]

They may have gotten overwarm. It could take a day or so for them to bounce back. Add a little bit of sugar or better yet some poultry electrolytes to their water and see if that helps. Good luck.

 

[donrae]

And be sure they can get out from under the heat, to an area thats room temp, even cooler. Moving the lamp higher may not help, you'll probably have to adjust the angle or block part of it off. At this age, if they were with momma, they'd be out from under her for several hours a day.