Dead Poult

I came to check on my poults this morning and I found a brown lump that, when unearthed, was one of my poults. It appeared squished but was far away from the brooder lamp. They're 6 days old as of today. The hatchery that sent them also sent 8 male chicks for free without our knowing (who would want 8 roosters?) I assume it was squished after it died as it was far away from the lamp (were they wouldn't sleep.) Basically, could it have been smothered and them kicked away (if that's a behavior(there was no trail.)) Or could it have died from blackhead or something else. Last night they were all perfectly fine and the body has no symptoms of anything. I have been feeding them purina startrena for gamebirds and turkeys w/ 30% protein filtered water (from my shower filter, as our water has alot of chlorine... idk y,) the 250 watt bulb w/ reflector is about 24 in off the ground. They're pen is a 60" by 60" hexagon filled w/ pine shavings. Basically,I wanna know if this one was unlucky or sick.

There may be several things that might have gone wrong. 1. Depending on the breed of poults that you have, a high protein feed might not be the best answer as they can develop too big, too fast which causes them to have foot problems. This is typical with heavy breed chickens as well. 2. Chickens are not usually kept with game birds because they can transmit diseases that they are amune to but can kill game birds. I would give the chickens away to someone who would want them. 3. Check the temperature of your heat lamp. The temperature under the heat lamp should around 100 degrees at the hight of your poults heads. Also placed near a corner of your pen so if they get too warm, they can get away from the heat. 4. Which I think is the most probable cause is your choice of bedding. Young poults do not have a hen to teach them what is food and what is not. They pick at and eat anything that they might consider as food. Pine shavings can't be digested and plugs up thier digestive tract. This may be why this poult died. I always used long baled straw for bedding which is too long for them to eat and can also be digested if they do eat small pieces. Oat straw or wheat straw is best. Pine shavings should never be used until the poults are 3-4 weeks old and know what to eat.
I hope that this helps.

CocoTurkey said:

I came to check on my poults this morning and I found a brown lump that, when unearthed, was one of my poults. It appeared squished but was far away from the brooder lamp. They're 6 days old as of today. The hatchery that sent them also sent 8 male chicks for free without our knowing (who would want 8 roosters?) I assume it was squished after it died as it was far away from the lamp (were they wouldn't sleep.) Basically, could it have been smothered and them kicked away (if that's a behavior(there was no trail.)) Or could it have died from blackhead or something else. Last night they were all perfectly fine and the body has no symptoms of anything. I have been feeding them purina startrena for gamebirds and turkeys w/ 30% protein filtered water (from my shower filter, as our water has alot of chlorine... idk y,) the 250 watt bulb w/ reflector is about 24 in off the ground. They're pen is a 60" by 60" hexagon filled w/ pine shavings. Basically,I wanna know if this one was unlucky or sick.

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Poults that have been dead for awhile can often look squished even if they weren't squished. If you have a water softener feeding the water to your shower that could be a problem. Poults don't do well with all the salt that is in softened water. If you are concerned about chlorine in your water, bring it to a boil in an open pot and let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes to vent the chlorine. Naturally let the water cool before giving it to the poults.

You are doing right to give the poults a high protein starter feed. Even the BB poults need the benefit of a high protein feed for the first couple of weeks.

You need to measure the surface temperature below the brooder lamp. For the first week the poults need that temperature to be approximately 90°F and that temperature can be lowered by 5°F per week. Without measuring the surface temperature, it is not possible to know whether the height of your heat lamp is correct or not.

R2elk said:

Poults that have been dead for awhile can often look squished even if they weren't squished.  If you have a water softener feeding the water to your shower that could be a problem.  Poults don't do well with all the salt that is in softened water.  If you are concerned about chlorine in your water, bring it to a boil in an open pot and let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes to vent the chlorine.  Naturally let the water cool before giving it to the poults.

You are doing right to give the poults a high protein starter feed.  Even the BB poults need the benefit of a high protein feed for the first couple of weeks.

You need to measure the surface temperature below the brooder lamp.  For the first week the poults need that temperature to be approximately 90°F and that temperature can be lowered by 5°F per week.  Without measuring the surface temperature, it is not possible to know whether the height of your heat lamp is correct or not.

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The filter is a simple carbon filter, along with other stuff. It does a good job with chlorine as my skin is like a canary in a coal mine. Thanks for the help!

Another one of my poults died today so I am switching out the shavings for crabgrass that I will get with my wweedwacker. Is crabgrass okay for chocolate turkey poults?