Help! All my chicks are dying!

I started with two, one month old bitties, who are doing fantastic. Then we got 9, 1-4 day old chicks... And they are dropping like flies! They are all kept in the same room, but seperate brooders, temp in room is typically around 80 and they have a 75 watt light bulb. Chicks never seem too cold, or too hot... What could be happening?

First chick died on 1/26 (laying over the waterer, face up.... I thought that was bizarre since I keep marbles in the waterer, but I chocked it up to drowning)

2nd chick died on 1/27, this chick was always the smallest of the group, and was a bit lethargic when we first got it, but had since gotten way better and would actually push the bigger chicks around for food, etc., I came home from work and he was dead

Now, this morning 1/30, my boyfriend walked in to check on them and 2 more chicks have died!!!!! I am heartbroken over this!

What are we doing wrong? Could they have originally come from an unhealthy facility? The guy we got them from is now offering for us to come replace them, but I don't think I want anymore of his chicks! Someone please help!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/660961/chicks-keep-dying-any-ideas. Here is a link about someone else who had a similar problem hope this helps

what kind of bedding are you using? I have heard if it is to fine they can eat it and become plugged up, have you checked for pasty but? and yes it could be the chicks were not healthy. it is hard to tell but that is a lot of chicks to loose. If it is 80 in the room you should not need added heat. maybe they are to hot. if there is no place for them to go to get out of the heat. ???

They are on straw mixed with pine shavings, they have the lamp, but plenty of room to get away from the heat, it's just a regular bulb, not a red heat bulb. The usually tend to hang out closer to the light, so I don't think it's that they're too hot, I never see them panting either. One chick has had an issue with pasty butt since day one, but I've been on top of keeping it clean, and that one is still alive! I really hope it's nothing that we are doing wrong, I'd feel so guilty

Are they eating and drinking

wow just finished that thread you posted, Roada, things got a little hot on there coccidian could be the cause although that usually is not a problem in a brooder. unless they got it before coming to you. what are you feeding? there are any ## of chicken diseases, some people have had this issue in Mi this spring. the thought with most of them was it came from the breeder.
Hope you can stop what ever is happening. most likely not something you are doing or are not doing. Good luck

At one to four days old chicks really need one spot in the brooder where they can go to warm up that is 90-95 degrees. The rest of the brooder and the room where they are kept should be cooler. So while your general area is about 80 it's possible that those youngest birds are not finding a place that is warm enough. Put a thermometer under your light and see what the temp is there. A 75 watt regular bulb may not make enough warmth for them at that age. If they were raised by a hen they would be out and about at whatever the temp was outside, then they will tuck back under their mama to warm up when needed. A brooder should be the same, one spot where they can go to warm up, the rest cooler.

snowflake said:

wow just finished that thread you posted, Roada, things got a little hot on there   coccidian could be the cause although that usually is not a problem in a brooder. unless they got it before coming to you. what are you feeding?   there are any ## of chicken diseases, some people have had this issue in Mi this spring. the thought with most of them was it came from the breeder. 
Hope you can stop what ever is happening. most likely not something you are doing or are not doing.    Good luck

Click to expand...

I wasent meaning they had that disease I was just wondering if they knew how to eat and drink from there dishes or if they could reach them

Roada Red said:

Are they eating and drinking

Click to expand...

They are, until they start becoming lethargic and dying we have another chick that is going downhill, I mashed up some feed with water and started feeding with a syringe, also gave some electrolytes. I have him seperated from the bunch so they don't trample him

snowflake said:

wow just finished that thread you posted, Roada, things got a little hot on there   coccidian could be the cause although that usually is not a problem in a brooder. unless they got it before coming to you. what are you feeding?   there are any ## of chicken diseases, some people have had this issue in Mi this spring. the thought with most of them was it came from the breeder. 
Hope you can stop what ever is happening. most likely not something you are doing or are not doing.    Good luck

Click to expand...

I was feeding dumor starter/grower, but I just picked up a bag of purina medicated starter to see if that will make a difference