WoolyMantis
In the Brooder
- Sep 6, 2016
- 39
- 6
- 14
I posted about this in the silkie/showgirl FB group and have gotten a few comments but really would like to find out the cause of this and if this is actually normal.
Please constructive comments only, I am writing out as much detail below as possible to try and avoid unnecessary or rude commenting!
I bought a large group of Showgirls last Sunday, about 25-30 chicks, some had just hatched in the incubator on the drive to meet me. It was about a 2 1/2 hr drive, we kept them in 2 boxes with hand warmers.
Within the last week a total of now 10 chicks have died
I have them separated into 2 groups in 2 brooders based on size.
The larger, healthier looking ones are in a 30 gal. rubbermaid tote w/ 2 heat lamps, 1 is a 250watt that is raised approx. 6 inches above the top, the other is a 60 or 65 watt night heat lamp that belonged to my gecko, it is resting on the rim of the brooder closer to the chicks. Before adding the 2nd lamp the chicks were all piling on top of each other and suffocating and dying. now this group spreads out nicely and i haven't had a death since seperating them and adding the 2nd lamp.
however my tiny, weak looking chicks are in a 10 or 15 gallon fishtank with a 250watt lamp, i had the temp at around 87 degrees, people in the FB group told me to raise it, it has been at 94 degrees for the last couple days, they haven't been piling on top of each other but they keep dying. i had 3 die today.
i check on them constantly, i have even been giving them droppers of water to make sure they're getting enough fluids. They eat fine, really they look fine until one randomly dies!!
I feed them medicated feed, i add hard boiled egg bits in with them, i have been giving them vitamin water lately, though am wondering if i should stop or add both plain water and vitamin water
The Breeder informed me that it is normal to have a 50% death rate with silkies and showgirls, this seems crazy to me but i am new to this breed. I consider myself a very good mama hen and responsible breeder, I have raised at least 150 chicks of my own, not silkies, and have only had a couple deaths. I do not know what else I can possibly do at this point, I have an avian vet that is.....not sure of the proper term...kinda dumb when it comes to chickens, I actually had to school her on them when I brought a sick rooster in, so taking them there is not an option at all.
I have saved the last 3 dead bodies and am now looking into having necropsy's done just to be sure there is nothing else going on but do not know where to take them. Is there a place you can ship birds to for this??
Any advice would be wonderful, and please silkie/showgirl breeders let me know if 50% death rate is normal for this breed, i don't know if i can continue breeding them if i have to deal with such a high mortality rate, it is too depressing!! i have 3 1/2 dozen eggs set in the incubator and want to have this under control before they hatch
Please constructive comments only, I am writing out as much detail below as possible to try and avoid unnecessary or rude commenting!
I bought a large group of Showgirls last Sunday, about 25-30 chicks, some had just hatched in the incubator on the drive to meet me. It was about a 2 1/2 hr drive, we kept them in 2 boxes with hand warmers.
Within the last week a total of now 10 chicks have died
I have them separated into 2 groups in 2 brooders based on size.
The larger, healthier looking ones are in a 30 gal. rubbermaid tote w/ 2 heat lamps, 1 is a 250watt that is raised approx. 6 inches above the top, the other is a 60 or 65 watt night heat lamp that belonged to my gecko, it is resting on the rim of the brooder closer to the chicks. Before adding the 2nd lamp the chicks were all piling on top of each other and suffocating and dying. now this group spreads out nicely and i haven't had a death since seperating them and adding the 2nd lamp.
however my tiny, weak looking chicks are in a 10 or 15 gallon fishtank with a 250watt lamp, i had the temp at around 87 degrees, people in the FB group told me to raise it, it has been at 94 degrees for the last couple days, they haven't been piling on top of each other but they keep dying. i had 3 die today.
i check on them constantly, i have even been giving them droppers of water to make sure they're getting enough fluids. They eat fine, really they look fine until one randomly dies!!
I feed them medicated feed, i add hard boiled egg bits in with them, i have been giving them vitamin water lately, though am wondering if i should stop or add both plain water and vitamin water
The Breeder informed me that it is normal to have a 50% death rate with silkies and showgirls, this seems crazy to me but i am new to this breed. I consider myself a very good mama hen and responsible breeder, I have raised at least 150 chicks of my own, not silkies, and have only had a couple deaths. I do not know what else I can possibly do at this point, I have an avian vet that is.....not sure of the proper term...kinda dumb when it comes to chickens, I actually had to school her on them when I brought a sick rooster in, so taking them there is not an option at all.
I have saved the last 3 dead bodies and am now looking into having necropsy's done just to be sure there is nothing else going on but do not know where to take them. Is there a place you can ship birds to for this??
Any advice would be wonderful, and please silkie/showgirl breeders let me know if 50% death rate is normal for this breed, i don't know if i can continue breeding them if i have to deal with such a high mortality rate, it is too depressing!! i have 3 1/2 dozen eggs set in the incubator and want to have this under control before they hatch