11 days old chicks dying left and right!

[the becks]

Quote:
I tried to make it cooler (dropping the temp 5 degrees and all) and hand the lamp in a diff position and they acted as though they were cold so I moved everything back to how i had it before.

How did they act that you thought they were cold? What kind of brooder are they in?

I figured they were cold because they would huddle into the corner where the most light was and they were chirping a lot.

*don't laugh* They are in a rubbermaid storage container. My DH had made a chicken coop for them and made them a little box with the heat lamp set up. We had them out there for a day but with the cold snap we had coming through we didnt want them to be outside just in case so we moved them into our bathroom.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
How did they act that you thought they were cold? What kind of brooder are they in?

I figured they were cold because they would huddle into the corner where the most light was and they were chirping a lot.

*don't laugh* They are in a rubbermaid storage container. My DH had made a chicken coop for them and made them a little box with the heat lamp set up. We had them out there for a day but with the cold snap we had coming through we didnt want them to be outside just in case so we moved them into our bathroom.

I use several rubbermaid brooder boxes...so I'm not gonna laugh about that.

I'm sorry I don't know what else to suggest.

 

[ranchhand]

I agree that they are probably too hot. By now, 80-85 degrees is plenty. Try to hang the lamp so that it only provides heat at one end of the box. And yup, I brood in plastic boxes all the time! Check for drafts, since they are in the bath. Close any central heat vents if needed.

What kind of heat lamp are you using? That can make a huge difference.

Feed only chick starter and water- NOTHING else for now, except a little Poly-ViSol without Iron in the water. Say, 10 drops per quart of water. Very light dose.

Good luck, hope they make it.

 

[Tala]

I agree that too hot is sometimes a recipe for pasty butt and since you are having trouble with that.....
They ARE supposed to cheep all the time, though they get a lot louder and more "demanding" sounding if they need/want something. Best to have one end of the brooder warmer, and the other cooler, so they can choose which zone to be in.


Maybe the feed is bad?

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Dang, I missed that. Yes, they will cheep non-stop, even louder at 3 a.m.

If it's a contented cheep, you will know. And if a loud, desperate cheep starts up you will know something's wrong.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

I agree with everyone who said it is too hot in there. I don't even brood with a thermometer. I just watch the chicks, and respond by moving the light. If they huddle in the corners, they are too hot. If they sleep in a pile directly under the light, they are too cold. If they create a halo around the perimeter of the light, it's perfect.

eta - yes, they need an area to get out of the light. also chick starter and constantly clean water is a must. change it several times a day.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

and to the wonderful, though sometimes frustrating, world of chickeneering. I'm sorry you're having these issues with your first batch of chicks. Have you contacted the hatchery? What have they suggested?

I wonder why you're using the broiler booster, I thought that was recommended only for the meatbird chicks, the Cornish Xs. Maybe that is contributing to their unease & digestive complaints.

And no one will laugh at you here, especially for brooding your chicks indoors &/or in your bathroom. Many folks keep their new chicks somewhere inside for the first few weeks or so, until they've got more feathers & have some strength & sturdiness to them.

I pray for great success for you & your chickens!

 

[the becks]

Thank you all for your support and helpful suggestions! I have 4 going very strong so far ... got one on the edge. I am keeping a very close eye on her. Lost one this morning but we kind of saw that coming ...

I am going to have to post some pictures of them on here soon. Maybe you guys can help me positively identify my girls.

I am going to try and see if the broiler booster is what is causing some problems.

Thanks again guys for your thoughtfulness and encouraging words!

 

[rancher hicks]

One thing I do is put the thermometer at chick level , then raise or lower the light as needed. Second I do not give them anything other than Chick starter and water. If they were vacinated at the hathcery feeding "Medicated" feed may have overloaded their system. I have never heard of feeding baby chicks any kind of "grower" as these usually have an excess of calcium and other things to strong for babies. Chick starter not the same thing.

If you decide to replace them please read up on baby chicks again as a refresher. What some do here is not always what the experts say. Pick up a book at the library or bookstore.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
Unless they were vaccinated at the hatchery for coccidiosis the medicated feed won't have any negative effect.

Purina makes medicated Purina Start & Grow and that is all I've raised chicks and ducklings on for years.

Have to disagree about where you'll find the experts on raising chicks. There's more knowledge here on BYC than in any book you're going to find.