4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Solitaire]

I posted a few days ago that I was thinking about keeping some chickens in my back garden - this was not the introduction to chickens that I was expecting. I work in a school, and one of the lower school staff brought in some eggs to hatch out. However, this hasn't been planned properly I fear, and the first chick hatched on Monday at 3ish. They didn't have a brooder ready, and obviously no broody. The first I knew about this was when I was asked on Tuesday if I had a heat lamp (I'm a tech in the senior school). We don't have one, but I was asked if I'd go and have a look as the chick was not in a good way (surprise, surprise). My degree was in Animal Behaviour, but I specialised in exotics, so my knowledge of young birds is not good. The upshot of all of this is that they now have 2 chicks under a 100w bulb, and I am concerned about the 2nd chick, to the extent that I think someone may have to do the deed. It hatched yesterday at about 11ish, but it is very weak indeed; it won't even lift its head. The first chick that hatched out seems better than it was, but could someone give me some idea as to what I should be seeing from chicks that age? I'm just so annoyed that it wasn't planned properly. There really is no need for this to have happened - I just want to get these 2 (and potentially the others that may hatch) onto the right start, I am prepared to do whatever it takes.

Sorry for the long post.

Solitaire.

[Griffin]

Normal healthy chicks, when they've just hatched, act like drunks and fall all about the place until they gain strength and co-ordination of all their limbs. After 24 hours the chick should be dry, fluffy, upright and taking an interest in it's surroundings. I had two weaklings in my last hatch and I gave them 48 hours to improve, one did and one didn't, it could barely stand so I culled it. I'd also say 100 watt isn't going to be hot enough to keep the chicks warm, try to get a bulb with a higher wattage. I assume Mondays chick is now eating and drinking?

[Solitaire]

Griffin, thanks for the reply.

Monday's chick has taken food and water, but as I'm not there the whole time, I would not like to say if that has contined. I will find out. It still has a look of wetness on it's rear, but when you touch it it is dry and crispy (I figure you'll know what I mean!). It is up and about, but still a little drunk. It seems to go through phases of being mad and then it just sits sort of "on its bum". It at least looks chick like!

Tuesday's chick is lying on the ground with its neck extended (almost as though it knows ) - it has fluffed out in places but it too has a wet look about it - again crispy to touch. That one hasn't taken food or water yet, but it is only about 24 hours.

I wanted to put them under my spare red heat lamp that I use for my snake, but we've just moved house, and my spare got broken in the move... Typical.

What do you think?

[Lewis]

What are they in as a brooder and do you have a thermometer in with them?

If you place your palm flat under the bulb the top if your hand should be just warm after a minute, not hot or cold.

 

They can survive up to 72 hours without eating as they absorb the egg yolk, but you should try and get them to have a drink. Put some water on a saucer with some pebbles/marbles in so they can't drown and tap your fingers in it so that they come over and start pecking at it - making them drink.

 

You can do the same with Chick Crumb.

[Griffin]

If they were mine I'd wash them in warm water to get the crispy dried gunk off them. Dry them with a hairdryer so they are fluffy, it can't be comfortable to be crusty. If the incubator is a fan assisted one they could be popped back in there to dry off fully too. They sound very much like my last hatch which was disasterous.

 

I got my sluggish ones to drink by putting water in a jam jar lid and dipping the end of their beak in it. They only took a few drops but it was a start.

[Solitaire]

The "brooder" is just a large plastic tub. Bedding is newspaper covered in a layer of wood shavings. Heat lamp is just a microscope lamp with a 100w bulb. My nearest petshop that sells red lamps is too far away for me to get to until the weekend.

The monday chick hasn't had anything further to eat. It's not really moving from under the basking spot. I haven't seen it drink anthing. The Tuesday chick I have given water to with a syringe - just forming a droplet on the end and letting it take it. It's too weak to take it from a petri dish. It seems to perk up a little after taking the water too. Should I give Monday water like that? Oh, and Monday has what looks like a big poo stuck to its vent - but it's dry and stuck almost into the hole. Does that make sense?

As for washing and drying them, the incubator is too small to dry them off in, so it'll have to be a towel and hairdryer job. I can't do that until later though - distinct lack of a hairdryer. They've now been taken into the staff room, so there's a bit of peace and quiet for them.

Any further suggestions? And thanks for the input so far.

[Solitaire]

A bit of an update - now they're in the staff room, I can keep a closer eye on them. Monday is now prepared to follow a hand around the box, albeit rather wobberly. It still won't take water from the dish (with marbles), it doesn't seem to get it.

Tuesday (I'm convinced is a male, it looks like he has a slight comb already!!) will now stand bolt upright if I put my had in the box. He's also making more noise. He's still far from right though. He's had some more water - que Monday screaming her head off in style of "where's my mate gone". When they're left to their own though he flops down again with his neck stretched out. I'm still not sure here... Trying desperatly to hold my tongue and not say anything about the planning...

[Lewis]

I think something does have to be said so its not repeated It's a bit selfish of the teacher to do it, and I can imagine if I pupil did this they wouldn't get away so easily. I'm not blaming you, you seem to be doing a really good jub, its just annoying when people jump into hatching at not think about the care of chicks *jumps down off box*

 

At least they're getting stronger, I think 100W sounds a bit too hot? I'm sure I only used 50W. Hopefully the poo ball will come off when you bath them, don't pull at it though.

Giving them water like that is fine , they don't need a lot.

 

I'd suggest putting an old cloth/tea towel/non-slip mat in the bottom of the brooder, because wood shavings can caused splayed legs.

 

What's happening with them over the weekend?

[Griffin]

I use a 150w bulb outside in my garage, so maybe 100 is ok inside.

 

When they're asleep they do lay down on their front with necks outstretched so Tuesday doesn't sound too bad now.

[Solitaire]

I think something does have to be said so its not repeated

 

It has been - that's partly why they're now in the staff room.

 

I don't know about the weekend - I'd have them if there was any issue, I enjoy this sort of thing. It's what I wanted to do "when i grew up". That's why I did the animal behaviour degree. Sadly there wasn't enough money in it. Animals I can deal with - plants I kill and kids... well, least said

 

Could I get away with just newspaper in there, or is that not non-slip enough?

 

When they're asleep they do lay down on their front with necks outstretched so Tuesday doesn't sound too bad now.

 

It just seems odd that he's doing that, yet Monday seems to be in the traditional chicken pose?! Silly chick!

 

I'll give them a bath at 5, then give you an update. Thanks again.

[bronze]

whereabouts are you as someone near might be able tolend equipment (heat lamp etc)

[Lewis]

I don't know about the weekend - I'd have them if there was any issue, I enjoy this sort of thing. It's what I wanted to do "when i grew up". That's why I did the animal behaviour degree. Sadly there wasn't enough money in it. Animals I can deal with - plants I kill and kids... well, least said

 

Could I get away with just newspaper in there, or is that not non-slip enough?

I personally think it would be best if they were out of school for the weekend especially as they aren't 100% so could do with a bit of TLC

 

Newspaper is even worse than wood shavings because its so slippy

[Redwing]

Newspaper is too slippery, kitchen roll is ok as is corrugated cardboard (not smooth) and also J cloths/T towel etc

 

You need to get the poo off the bottom of the little one, it will have formed a plug which could be fatal later if not removed, soak it off do not pick at it!

 

I have two chicks under a heat lamp at present depending on your location I could take yours for a while if that helps? I am up in Blackburn at present journeying back down to Northampton tomorrow

[Solitaire]

Hello all. I'm based near Kidderminster... However, I think that they may being leaving school tomorrow, so we'll see. They've been bathed - they're now back in the "brooder". Tuesday looks worse again. I'm concerned about his rear end... his abdomen seems very swollen and dark, and there is what looks exactly like the end of an umbilical cord hanging from him (it's the same place as the poo ball on Monday). Monday went very quiet when I put her back in, but she seemed to pick up a little as time went on. It's obviously very stressful for them to be washed! *Update* They have just been taken home, and are not coming back. I've got mixed feelings. I want to make sure they're ok, but equally so, they're not my responsibility. I hope they both pull through.

 

Thanks for everyone's input - its been really helpful. I'm quite happy now to embark on mission "pursuade husband to allow me to have chickens", as I'm confident that I can get fantastic advice on here

 

Solitaire

[Lewis]

Where have they gone? -Somewhere nice I hope

(and not with the person they came from)

 

Hatching is great when its all planned out properly, and unfortunately for you this just proves that, but at least you now know a little bit about caring for chicks.

Any advice you need and you know where to ask, hopefully we can give you an answer

 

 

Kidderminster isn't too far from me.

[Egluntyne]

Only just read this thread.

 

He sounds as if he has a pasted vent and needs careful attention. I hope the person who has taken him home knows what they are doing.

 

It is nothing short of a disgrace that this situation has arisen. Very poor management and planning. What on earth was the Head thinking of for allowing this?

 

I would let the governors know in no uncertain terms so that this kind of thing can't happen again.

 

 

What a shame.

 

Well done for all your efforts.

 

Don't let it put you off.

[HENthusiastic]

Well done to you for all your care and hard work .

It sounds like you have done a sterling job. Looking forward to hearing all about your new chickens . You are right, this place has all the support and advice you could ever want.

[Yorkshire Pudding]

First well done for caring for these little chap or chapess-es.

 

Whoever set this up must surely have submitted a risk assessment? We aren't allowed to sneeze in school without one - we're having an 'animal day' in a fortnight and the paperwork has been horrendous!

 

The RA should have had contingency plans for all risks to humans and chicks. If it didn't or there wasn't one submitted, whoever did it needs a good .

 

They obviously didn't think this through or anticipate anything other than healthy cute fluffy bundles of chick hatching out.

 

 

As for getting your own hens, go for it! You have definitely found one of the most helpful groups of people around and there's NOTHING they don't collectively know about chickens.

[Solitaire]

Hi everyone - back from a long weekend of D of E.

 

Just thought you'd want to know the outcome... Monday did have a pasted vent, and sadly didn't make it. She left us on Wednesday, overnight. I was surprised, she seemed the stronger of the 2. Tuesday had made it through to Friday, but I haven't been down today to speak to the person that took them home. I think that the attitude was summed up (by the person who obtained the eggs in the first place, and then took them home on Wednesday night) - "they're not like keeping a cat or dog are they?"! I had to bite my tongue very hard not to say something... So ends a very short chapter.

 

However, I think I'm getting there on my husband! I'm just going to lay low for the moment; but already 1/3 or the garden is "stringed off". That way, they could run riot in there, and we could have the rest to ourselves - and the tomatoes, lettuces and chillies I want to grow too.... I'm just going to run away and hide now...

[tidygirlsuk]

sorry to hear about the school chicks that is a very sad thing to hear. Glad to hear that your husband is giving in to the idea of you keeping chickens