2 Month Olds dying on cold nights, what to do?? *update*

[Momo]

Probably they're still piling because chickens are creatures of habit. Do they not roost yet? When you say they're in their own section of a larger coop, does that mean you have adult chickens in the main coop? If so, I would go into the coop in the night and place all of the 8 week olds on the roosts amongst the adult chickens. They'd be toasty warm overnight and no piling. That's what I do with my youngsters when they get confused on cold nights. Check on them early in the morning of course to make sure they're getting along okay, or make sure they have access to something they can hide behind just in case. If you don't have adult chickens, I'd be inclined to move them onto the roost in the warmer coop - be prepared to place them on the roost over and over, and maybe turn off the lamp for a bit, until they give up and go to sleep.

 

[TeamChaos]

I'm new to chickens, so consider that when you read this: when I got my chickens last year my grandfather cautioned me about them piling up. He said that they all smash together in a corner if they are scared. Our farm is by a highway and he told me of how many chickens the neighbor had lost to piling when they were first getting used to the sounds of vehicles. I ended up "interrupting" any corner space with something to discourage a chicken pile and didn't have any problems. Is there anything that could be frightening them? I'm so sorry for your loss! How sad and frustrating.

 

[tammye]

I was told in a "how to" class on chickens not to have corners with small chickens due to piling up with result of death to some. They are going in the corner to get warm and to feel secure. When I first but my 8 weekers in a large coop, they were scared too, I put a night ligt in, seemed to help.

 

[sourland]

Try "rounding off" the corners with wire or some obstacles so that they are unable to huddle. Dividing them into smaller groups might also help.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Quote:
You can also use cardboard to round off the corners.

Also as centrarchid mentioned - feed them just before bed - I feed my babies about 1/2 an hour before "lights out". A full crop will give them energy for the night. When I feed, I take their crumbles and add warm water to the bowl - making like a gruel or soup. This way I am sure that they are getting liquid and food (plus they really love it). Just make sure your water is not too hot because you can cause a crop burn.

 

[cluckcluck42]

Thanks everyone. I have already moved them to their own enclosed coop away from the adults with a heat lamp. They've had a roost since day one but it's like none of them understand that is where they are supposed to SLEEP. I haven't had that problem before.

I checked them at lunch and found two snoozing in the same spot I found the dead one today. I put the waterer there and we'll put cardboard in all the corners. I can't believe at two months they don't understand how to roost. I'm just going to have to go check them a couple times a night and maybe even set an alarm to check them in the wee hours because I will lose my mind if another one dies.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
I have found it not at all unusual for young pullets even two months old to not be interested in roosting. Mine usually want to roost somewhere between two and three months at the latest. If they roost TOO early (and I don't know what too early is) I have read that they can get a deformed breastbone. I personally feel this is nature's way, although by two months old I certainly wouldn't be concerned about a deformed breastbone- don't get me wrong.

I give 100 watt bulbs to all my chickens in all the coops when it gets down to freezing. I give 100 watt bulbs routinely to everyone two months and under in the winter (this winter is my first winter with young ones though). They really act like they need it.

My six week olds right now huddle practically all day long under their 100 watt bulb. Good job giving your little ones some warmth when they were crying for it.

 

[nicokl502]

i only have 3 but i bring them inside on cold night i live in kc and it has been snowing and -7 below for day i may be babying my chickens but they have a nice set up inside

 

[Tala]

8 week chicks may LOOK fully feathered on the outside, but they don't have much down on the inside. Give 'em a lamp!

Mine are in a 25-lb-dog-sized doghouse, with a 75watt lamp mounted to the underside of the roof (which actually hangs pretty low) and they all flatten themselves out under it at night, but not on top of each other. They are running around like the big chickens in the daytime.

 

[kathyinmo]

I'm so sorry you are having this bad experience.

In my opinion they are cold, and that is why they are huddling and piling. I have 7 week old chicks outside. Today's high was single digit. Last night wind chill was -40, and they are all fine. I have 25 chicks in an 8x5 pen with 2 red (250 watt) heat lamps, as well as a heater outside their pen which radiates heat into them. I have had no piling, and they do not roost. Like Tala, mine flatten out under the lights at night, but they do not pile.

Good luck, and I hope things get better for ya.