amateurkeeper Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 Hello! As my name suggests I'm a bit new to this chicken lark, and have found some great advice elsewhere on the forums so thought I could find someone to help me here too. Yesterday the man-shape and I purchased 4 week old chicks - 2 gold laced orps, 1 blue splash and 1 unknown (black and white but even the breeder couldn't tell us what it was!). We put them straight in the run when we got back, which is a small coop with long run attached. They had lots of food, water and even an old hat and scarf to cuddle up in overnight (which, if all the poo is anything to go by, they used! ) This morning we've been out to see them (heard them tweeting from the other side of the house!) and have been sat out with them for about half an hour, just watching. We put all 4 into the run so they could explore, and 3 have been running around together, scratting and generally exploring - however, the blue splash is very very timid. It keeps standing in the same position, tweeting every now and again. We had a look at it, and it has got a very dirty bottom (now cleaned!) and we put her to the food and water and she wasn't very interested - but we have seen her eat and drink since we brought them home. Is it just the shock of a new environment, could she be the 4th on the "pecking order", or should we be concerned? Any answers welcome please - am already quite worried about her!! Thank you in advance..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 Hi and welcome Without knowing your research on the chicks I apologise if I mention below anything that you have already considered It could be as simple as the chick isnt used to being outside, 4 weeks is an ok time for them to be off heat at this time of year so thats not a huge concern but it could be that it was weaned off heat but still kept indoors (mine are kept in a shed for a little when weaned off heat and not put out for a while afterwards) so the big wide world can come as a shock, a bit of wood, plastic or shower curtain can provide a bit of extra shelter I take it they are eating chick crumb and are all eating and drinking ok? The dirty bottom is a bit of a concern in a youngster, some probiotic powder is useful (Avipro is a good one) - you add it to the water or you could try mixing the chick crumb with some probiotic yogurt, cut out all other treats A dirty bottom is often a sign of worms but in a chick so young you should be ok Watch out for blood in the poo though as this could indicate Coccidiosis which is very dangerous to young chicks, symptoms are general listlessness, holding the wings down and slightly away from the body and the blood in poo (thats not always present) Coxiod is a good over the counter treatment for it but apple cider vinegar (the stuff used for horses) is a stopgap option that sometimes works I see that you have other chickens (looking at your signature) are they older? these should obviously be separate but also the chicks should not be kept on ground that the older ones have used as this can bring on Coccidiosis - chicks need clean ground or a thick layer of clean bedding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 I endorse Redwing's advice but I'd add that the tweeting may be an indication of them not being warm enough - 4wks is very young even at this time of year. As you already have chickens, I'd also recommend making sure their chick crumb is medicated with ACS to help protect them from coccidiosis. Another cocci prevention / treatment is Herban, which you add at 1ml per 2l as a prevention or 2ml per 1l as a treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellykelly Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 I may have read it wrong.Have you purchased 4 x one week old chicks or 4 x 4 week old chicks? If they are 4 one week old chicks then these should still be indoors under heat of some kind. If 4 x 4 wek old chicks - then I agree with what the others have said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateurkeeper Posted July 25, 2010 Author Share Posted July 25, 2010 Yes, sorry I should have been clearer - we have 4 x 1 week old chicks. They have been absolutely fine and aren't showing any sign of distress - one is just quieter than the other, really. We got them from a breeder who kept them all in what seemed to be a rabbit hutch, in a large commercial greenhouse (the semi-circle type) and he had hundreds of birds!! I've given the bluey a good clean and it now has a clean bottom. Also, since I posted she's had alot to drink and has perked up slightly. Their run is suitated in a sunny spot, but they have a roof over half of the run so plenty of shade. Yes we have 4 other full grown chicks - they are in a completely different coop/run at the other end of the garden, and the new chicks are on a clean bit of grass. Thank you for the advice re: the disease; I will keep an eye on their poo and report back if there are any other issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateurkeeper Posted July 25, 2010 Author Share Posted July 25, 2010 Oh, and to add - they are eating chick crumb and they have a water feeder too. We aren't giving them anything else, but they are pecking at the corn on the straw we're using for their bedding! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 Sadly you have not been guided right by the breeder, if they are one week old then they will need heat for a few weeks more, an indoor brooder and a heat lamp or electric hen will be needed Sadly they wont make it if they are left outside The breeder should have given you some advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellykelly Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 I would still recommend that you place them under heat. If the little ones catch a chill, it can be fatal. They're still so vunerable at one week old. I'm sure someone with more hatching experience will be along in a bit to offer more advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 I may have read it wrong.Have you purchased 4 x one week old chicks or 4 x 4 week old chicks? . Well spotted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 They definitely need to be under heat if they are only a week old. The cheeping will be an indication that they are cold. Even though the weather is warmish, they are far to young to be outside. Some basic advice **here** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateurkeeper Posted July 25, 2010 Author Share Posted July 25, 2010 crikey - thank you for the advice, I am so glad I posted here now!! We've decided we'll bring them inside at night, as we can't afford an incubator at the moment. Would that be okay for them or do we need to do something else? Poor little chicks - I feel so guilty now, I should have researched this all properly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 Dont beat yourself up about it, things like this happen, the main thing is that you are able to do something about it you dont need an incubator you need a brooder This can be as simple as a large cardboard box or plastic storage crate, they'll need a heat source but a 60w desk lamp poised over the box would do at a push if you cant afford a heat lamp, if they cheep they are cold so lower it, if they avoid it they are too warm so make it higher Woodshavings will be ok as a bedding or newspaper changed often if you cant face the mess of flying wood shavings! The heat lamp should be on constantly for at least another week then maybe off in the day but on at night for the following week then off all the time the week after that (with the chicks still indoors) they can go outside full time from about 5 weeks ish A few hours outside on a warm day will do them no harm but they cant really go out all day every day at this age the other thing I hesitate to mention is that the chicks wont be sexed at a week old so you'll need a plan for the boys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateurkeeper Posted July 25, 2010 Author Share Posted July 25, 2010 Thank you so much for the advice. We're bringing them inside now, into the large cardboard box they started out in. We have a lamp here I can use so thank you again for that. We won't be using that breeder again!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 Its fine, we all learn from our mistakes after all It sounds like the breeder was saving money on electricity by keeping them in a polytunnel which at this time of year would be very very warm, they should have given you some advice on what to do with the chicks when you got home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellykelly Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 It's a shame you're not closer. I have an indoor rabbit cage spare at the moment. It would have been perfect as a brooder. Good luck with the little un's - I hope you're able to find everything you need and get them warm and cosy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateurkeeper Posted July 25, 2010 Author Share Posted July 25, 2010 Okay, chicks are inside, in a lovely warm cardboard box with straw, a wooly scarf and a 60W lamp - as below: We gave the bluey a good wash with some warm soapy water and managed to get alot of the poo off, however we were a little concered so took a trip to the local farm shop (where we got our 2 hybrids) and showed them a photo, they said it was nothing to worry about if they are eating/drinking normally but did suggest trying a salt water bath, so we'll do that tomorrow - poor little thing has been through enough today!! I must admit to getting a bit teary when we brought bluey in, he was all wet and shivery and looked so vunerable, bless him!! He went straight under the light and has now fluffed up again nicely, and they're all doing well. Some photos for you all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 I may have read it wrong.Have you purchased 4 x one week old chicks or 4 x 4 week old chicks? . Well spotted Very well spotted Jellykelly. Some great advise given all round, looks like you came to the right place amateurkeeper. Sounds like you are on track with your little ones now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateurkeeper Posted July 25, 2010 Author Share Posted July 25, 2010 I most certainly did Chucky Mama - I think I can say that the Omlet Forum saved my chicks life!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 Awww - beautiful chicks. We all have to start somewhere & you seem to have taken on board all the advice given. Just be careful as their wing feathers grow, that they don't try escaping from the box. I use a piece of chicken mesh - fine squares from Wilkinsons over the top of my crate. After 2 - 3 weeks, I move my chicks into an indoor guinea pig cage. You might be able to pick up a second hand one from preloved or local bargain finder. Enjoy your chicks - they grow so fast! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateurkeeper Posted July 26, 2010 Author Share Posted July 26, 2010 I think one is a week older than the others as it has bigger wings already, so will keep an eye out for escapee's! Got one more tiny concern....the chicks are constantly cheeping. I'ved moved the light closer so it keeps them warm, and they always gather underneath it, and it is definately kicking out enough heat so that's not the problem, they have clean water and food, and have cleaned out the box - not sure what else to do, or is constant cheeping normal?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 They will be either cold or hungry If you are sure the light is warm enough try moving the food a little closer so they dont get cold looking for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateurkeeper Posted July 26, 2010 Author Share Posted July 26, 2010 Hi Redwing, I have solved it....the lamp was low enough so they were getting enough heat but we failed to think about putting the brooder on a wooden floor....have since placed a thick blanket underneath and now they're happier - and less noisy! Thank you for answering my never-ending questions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
