Having a problem with 1 of my new ISA Brown 5 day old chicks

cosmosweaver11

Chirping
8 Years
Jul 8, 2015
76
3
91
400

Hi my names is Robin I have 4 healthy Rhode Island Reds that we got about 6 months ago and their about 10 months old now. My husband bought 15 ISA Browns chicks a couple wks ago in which we received on last Friday oct 16th. They were born on the 14th and now 5 days old. That afternoon we notice one of them having trouble, laying down alot letting other walk on her and we tried everything we could to help but it's sad to say we lost her that evening. All the rest of the chick's seem very health and happy. But one has caught my attention. She is the smallest and breathes rapidly but eats drinks and runs around with the rest. Of course Ive never owned baby chicks before but it has made me worried that she breathes so fast not lIke any of the others. I keep them warm their bin clean and fresh food and water. I have read other threads but none seems exactly like mine. Today I gave her a few drop of poly de sol no iron to see if it helps. Has anyone experiance this before or have any advise? Also I posted a link video in the little one sleeps and u can see her breathing.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10207016731993321&id=1130418905
 
Do you have a thermometer on the floor of the brooder under the heat lamp to make sure that the temperature is not over 90-95F for the first week. They also need a cooler area to get away to if overheated. I would give the chicks some SaveAChick electrolytes in their water, and make sure the sicker chick drinks as often as you can dip it's beak today and tonight. Poultry Nutri-drench 1-3 ml daily would also be good instead. Shipping stress can cause dehydration and other problems. Also check it for pasty butt, and keep their vents clean for the first week to 10 days.
 
Last edited:
Thank u for responding..I do have a thermometer in there. And keep it n the low 90s. And ok yes I thought about that saw in a post to my local store should have it in today as they didn't before. I am going out in alil while if they don't have that still I will get the other. Also have been checkin their bottoms every day. I might get a smaller lamp too. Do u think this one is too big?
400
 
I like the red lamps since they help to prevent pecking, and the chicks can sleep well at nighttime, but they can be hot. Make sure it is at least 18 inches from the chicks and you can raise it up as needed to lower the temperature. Many people do use smaller wattage light bulbs, especially if the chicks are inside the house and it is warm. When they huddle together under the lamp, they are cold, and when they scatter far from the lamp, they are too warm. My brooder temperatures always vary especially between daytime and night, probably from sunlight, so the thermometer on the floor under the light works well. They don't always need as much heat as we think, and decrease it weekly by 5 degrees F.
 
I bought the Sav a chick electrolyte and put it n a gallon of fresh water. Then filled their water thingy. Also left the tiny water in with just plain water as directions said. I am curious if u know about how to keep the rest of the gallon as of course I'm chicks won't go thru it in a day. All the directions say is to give them fresh daily. Not sure if that means throw the rest out cause its bad after a day or just refill with clean. Also if that's the case should I just store it n a tight contain or put in fridge? Have u used this product or have any in site on this?
 
Also I've raised my light up abit and still having trouble today with it finally being nice weather its getting alil hot so I'm going to continue adjusting. Here in va were now having warm days chilly nights. I'm comtinplating on should they be outside during day and in side at night. Currently were keeping them n our nice she'd close to the house and constantly going out to check them.
 
I would just refrigerate the extra electrolyte water, and mix it well when you use it. Yes it can be difficult with the weather changing between nights and days. It's a little easier to keep them in the house when they are little, but it can be very dusty. Some manage just fine keeping them outdoors in a shed, though. As long as they have a lamp to get under and huddle together, they probably will do okay. It helps to prevent drafts.
 
Yes it's a new shed and not much draft. I managed to hang light above them that way they can get away if too warm. And IL put the extra water in the fridge. The light we have is not red like the hens one.this ones a light red almost a pink..but I'm looking for a red one. Thank u for all the advise and tip. I really appreciate it.
 
Well I ended up getting a large plastic horse trout and bring them in. And then they kept getting out and flying so last week I transfered them into there new little heated brooder coop. But the little girl chickie I was having problems with didn't make it. It was very sad but I believe it was because she was smallest and her breed being ICA Browns matures really fast and I just don't think her little body could take it. :(
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom