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Think my chicks may be sick

post #1 of 4
3/30/12 at 6:31am
Thread Starter 

So I bought my first chickens yesterday! I've been waiting for years! I purchased 6 bantams. Think is only 2 of them are eating and only what is in between the wood chips. They are not moving around like they were in the store. I have them in a guinea pig cage with a 100 watt brooder light. I think it got too cold in the bathroom where they are. They just huddled together all afternoon and night. One is hardly moving at all. She's the smallest of them all. I only see 1 poop in there, but nothing stuck to their butts. Any suggestions? I put a room heater into the bathroom to raise the temp and a towel on the cage to make sure they aren't getting a draft from it. Do you think they'll feel more frisky as the temp rises?

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post #2 of 4
3/30/12 at 7:20am
Yes they likely will. If not then they could well be sick. You can give them some poly vi sol without iron or some electrolyte mix from the feed store, in their water, that might give them a boost.

== Easy incubator wiring chart: http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=65925 Installing a thermostat: http://cmfarm.us/WHTincubator.html
Love those Orps!

I don't care why the chicken crossed the road, as long as mine don't!

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== Easy incubator wiring chart: http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=65925 Installing a thermostat: http://cmfarm.us/WHTincubator.html
Love those Orps!

I don't care why the chicken crossed the road, as long as mine don't!

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post #3 of 4
3/30/12 at 2:03pm
Thread Starter 

Aw nuts. My little one died today. All the others are running around chirping and eating and drinking. They all love boiled egg! The little one wouldn't eat or drink. Thankfully my children aren't too upset about it. It is what happens in the world of chickens. Now I just have to figure out what breed I have! I got a mix of bantams from a local tractor supply. One is a beautiful grey with feathered feet! But I just found out today that they came from a straight run, so they may not all be hens! Oh no!

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post #4 of 4
3/30/12 at 4:22pm

The wattage of the heat lamp does not matter.  What is important is the temperature.  Check the temperature with a thermometer.  It should between 90 - 95 degrees since they are less than a week old.  The temperature should be checked under the heat lamp at the level of the chicks.  Also watch the actions of the chicks.  If they are huddling under the heat lamp they are cold.  If they are staying away from it and away from each other than it is probably too hot.

1 Silver Laced Wyandotte, 2 Gold Laced Wyandotte, 1 BLRW, 1 Columbian Wyandotte, 4 Rhode Island Red, 6 Easter Eggers, 3 Barred Rock, 3 Welsummer, 2 Buff Orpington, 2 White Leghorn, 2 Brown Leghorn, 3 Gold Sex Links, 2 Delaware, 1 Mixed Maran.    And a partridge in a pear tree... (just kidding on the partridge).
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1 Silver Laced Wyandotte, 2 Gold Laced Wyandotte, 1 BLRW, 1 Columbian Wyandotte, 4 Rhode Island Red, 6 Easter Eggers, 3 Barred Rock, 3 Welsummer, 2 Buff Orpington, 2 White Leghorn, 2 Brown Leghorn, 3 Gold Sex Links, 2 Delaware, 1 Mixed Maran.    And a partridge in a pear tree... (just kidding on the partridge).
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