calling anyone who is experienced at rearing CHICKS

[WelliesAndPyjamas]

Reassure me, please?

Will they really, truly, honestly, move around so that they find the best temperature spot for themselves?? I've been worrying so much about this since moving them in to a bigger box. They're now sleeping far from the light, which I know means they have found the right temp for them, but am being a real worryhead about this.

And why is one of them staying quite small despite eating plenty?

It's my first batch of chicks. Did you guess? Grown up chickens are so easy by comparison!

bump

As long as they are bright-eyed and pecking/scratching around and getting plenty of food and water they are fine. If you are worried you could try moving the lamp higher above them. You'll soon know if one is feeling poorly - they don't move too much, go off their food etc. The small one could have a congenital defect - if so there isn't anything to do about it as long as it is eating well etc.

Thank you callisto
They seem fine, eating, drinking, sleeping lots (which I have thought was fine since they are babies after all), etc, so will keep doing what I am doing.

The small one is the same one that had splayed legs last week (I posted about it). It's walking fine now and seems to have a normal appetite.

I noticed with mine that if they were ever feeling stressed (usually when being cuddled by DS43) they would cheep very loudly.

They are tough little creatures. Mine slept alot and would then have moments of hyperactivity when they would run around and flap their little stumply wings.

Have you got a heat lamp on a chain. I found I had to move it up and down a little to find the right temp. If huddles they are too cold, if in a ring away from light then light could be lowered a little.

thanks meghalegs

the heat lamp is clip-on and I move it up and down a plank, so same concept

they're not huddling, they seem to have spread out well (so no crushing) within easy access to the feeder (clever birds!) but not directly under the lamp.

I know the kind of cheeping you mean. They do that if picked up but are quiet the rest of the time.

TBH I feel a lot more chilled about this today since they seem happier. I lost a couple at the start so I've been a bit paranoid about not doing it properly. I talked with my neighbour today (who bought their batch at the same time as me and from the same guy) and they also lost a few. Runts etc I suppose.

So grateful to everyone for the reassurance.