4 day old chicks dying fast

[Shelby Miller]

This is my first time raising chicks. They do great for the first 2 days running around, eating, and drinking, and then they start to die a couple at a time. They are acting like they are too hot when the temp is 90 degrees in the brooder and are sleeping piled up away from the light. Where they are sleeping getting to be only 80 degrees, which seems too cold. Help on keeping the remaining chicks alive!

 

[SummerTheAnimalGirl]

Oh I am so sorry to hear that! You need to lower the temp. The best way to know how hot it needs to be is how the baby’s act. 90 degrees is just an average of what chicks usually do well with. Lower the temp till they are all comfortably spread out, some under the heat, some in cooler spots.

 

[Shelby Miller]

I want to thank everyone for being so kind and all the help and advice given! We haven't had anymore chicks die in over a week. We gave them some egg to boost them back up and crushed their food and that seemed to be what they needed!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Where they are sleeping getting to be only 80 degrees, which seems too cold.

I don't think it is the heat killing them because they can get to a spot that is cooler. But. yes, that brooder looks hot. But they are not laying around the far edge, panting with their mouth open. They don't look too hot.

To me the ideal brooder has one spot that is warm enough in the coolest conditions and a spot cool enough in the warmest conditions. If you watch a broody hen raise chicks the chicks run around in some pretty cool temperatures, then go under her when they need to warm up. Broody hens can raise chicks when there is snow on the ground. 80 degrees is not too cold for them if they can go to a spot that is warm enough when they need to warm up. 50 degrees isn't too cold as long as they can warm up. Don't try to keep the entire brooder one perfect temperature for them because there is not a perfect temperature. A range of temperatures is what they need.

I also use a heat lamp in my brooder. Do not depend on that clamp that came with it. Use wire or chain to support the lamp so there is no way it can fall or get knocked down. I'd move the lamp off to the side so it is not heating the entire brooder. Try to let the far side cool off more. It looks kind of small. Those chicks are going to grow fast.
Where is that brooder? Is it someplace climate controlled so the temperature remains constant or does it change with the weather? Those temperature swings can be a challenge in providing a spot always warm enough without it getting too hot in warmer temperatures. A larger brooder can help with that.

Can you describe how they are dying? How many and how often? A time scale might help. How do they act before they die? Do they just fall over when they look like they are doing OK or do they stand around looking lethargic, fluffed up and looking like they don't feel well? Are they eating and drinking? Do they stand around giving a really plaintive peeping, a systematic peeping that tells you that something is wrong. Once you hear it you recognize it. Are there any wounds on those chicks? Are young kids squeezing them when they play with them? Some clues might point us in the right direction.

It's too young to be Coccidiosis or most diseases. Have you checked them for pasty butt? Chickens have delicate respiratory systems like most birds. Is there any way the air could be contaminated, maybe are they near a gas fire like a gas water heater? What are you feeding them? Is the feed fresh and not moldy? Are you giving them any treats, anything other than chick feed? Are you adding anything to the water?

From what you've said I don't know how bad the problem is. I don't know what could be causing it. People got off on that too hot thing and ignored every other possibility.

 

[NatJ]

I attached some pictures of how they look right now. Even in the coolest part that some moved to that is 75 degrees they are laying like this

Are you sure the thermometer is accurate? Maybe move it to another room, where you are sure of the temperature, and check that it is reading something reasonable.

If the chicks act hot, and the thermometer says they "should" not be hot, definitely check the thermometer!

I think you said the warm area is 90 degrees, and the cool area is 75 degrees. If the thermometer is correct, that should be a fine range of temperatures for chicks.

 

[seminolewind]

Being new way back when and all that's happened in the past 15 years, I've realized to keep things very simple. If you bring them home and they die, I think you said around day 4, well chicks can sustain themselves for the first 3 days, but then they better be getting food and water or they will die. I've lived thru that several times but caught on the 2nd time that the crumbles were too big and they appeared to be eating but were not. So now with all hatches I grind the feed down a bit so I know they are eating. A wet mash has always helped me get them interested in food. A wet mash also gives them water. Without food and water for whatever reason, they will die starting on day 4. I have also dipped chick beaks one by one in the in the water and wet mash. And check crops.

I had one chick die after day 4 because I stopped giving her yogurt and the crumbles were too big. How sad that she died! I had one chick not able to get to the food and grow weaker and weaker till she couldn't walk. I started tube feeding her mash and water with corid (covering the bases) and she did recover to the point that she was eating on her own and not letting anyone push her away.

As for temp, I read that chicks need 90 degrees. I go by what the chicks behavior is. I find for me it was always best to have one corner (not big) with the heat lamp and plenty of area with no heat. If they crowd under the heat, they are cold. If they crowd away from the heat they are too hot. What I look for is the chicks somewhat sleeping scattered in the middle. I watch what the chicks tell me.

If they have food and temp checked and then die, IMO I would treat them all with Corid regardless of what's written , about age and such, just knowing it's My last effort and can do it.

They are too young to die from Mareks. I know very little about what the respiratory problems can figure into things. I can't tell you how to spot it or know the signs to look for respiratory-wise.

I have never given vits to any chicks/chickens that were sick. Or ACV. Keep a notebook with symptoms, age, what they looked like the day before, was there crop full or empty, or whether they were passing stool. The best piece of advice I was ever given is to spend alot of time with my chickens, know what normal appearance is and what is not normal. I have spent hours and hours with my chicks/chickens and they have taught me alot.

Think first of simple reasons. How sad!

I would clean everything and BUY new feed and shavings .

This is the way I've done things for years. I'm sure others can write what they've done.

 

[jreardon1918]

Try turning down the heat. If they are sleeping away from the heat, they are telling you they are too hot. Do you have pictures of the brooder?

 

[Shelby Miller]

I don't think it is the heat killing them because they can get to a spot that is cooler. But. yes, that brooder looks hot. But they are not laying around the far edge, panting with their mouth open. They don't look too hot.

To me the ideal brooder has one spot that is warm enough in the coolest conditions and a spot cool enough in the warmest conditions. If you watch a broody hen raise chicks the chicks run around in some pretty cool temperatures, then go under her when they need to warm up. Broody hens can raise chicks when there is snow on the ground. 80 degrees is not too cold for them if they can go to a spot that is warm enough when they need to warm up. 50 degrees isn't too cold as long as they can warm up. Don't try to keep the entire brooder one perfect temperature for them because there is not a perfect temperature. A range of temperatures is what they need.

I also use a heat lamp in my brooder. Do not depend on that clamp that came with it. Use wire or chain to support the lamp so there is no way it can fall or get knocked down. I'd move the lamp off to the side so it is not heating the entire brooder. Try to let the far side cool off more. It looks kind of small. Those chicks are going to grow fast.
Where is that brooder? Is it someplace climate controlled so the temperature remains constant or does it change with the weather? Those temperature swings can be a challenge in providing a spot always warm enough without it getting too hot in warmer temperatures. A larger brooder can help with that.

Can you describe how they are dying? How many and how often? A time scale might help. How do they act before they die? Do they just fall over when they look like they are doing OK or do they stand around looking lethargic, fluffed up and looking like they don't feel well? Are they eating and drinking? Do they stand around giving a really plaintive peeping, a systematic peeping that tells you that something is wrong. Once you hear it you recognize it. Are there any wounds on those chicks? Are young kids squeezing them when they play with them? Some clues might point us in the right direction.

It's too young to be Coccidiosis or most diseases. Have you checked them for pasty butt? Chickens have delicate respiratory systems like most birds. Is there any way the air could be contaminated, maybe are they near a gas fire like a gas water heater? What are you feeding them? Is the feed fresh and not moldy? Are you giving them any treats, anything other than chick feed? Are you adding anything to the water?

From what you've said I don't know how bad the problem is. I don't know what could be causing it. People got off on that too hot thing and ignored every other possibility.

They are in a guest bedroom in my house. They are in a kiddy pool that is split in half at the moment so we can expand when they get larger. We have boards around the edges to help reduce any draft.

Yesterday morning when we woke up 5 had passed in the night. We checked them through the day and all was well until 5pm when 2 more passed. This morning I woke up to 6 more gone

At first they were just going. Now they are laying around looking lethargic before they pass. They were eating well until recently and now aren't very interested in it. I was checking them morning and night for pasty butt and everything looked good, no pasty butt. There are no wounds it is just me and my boyfriend who go in that room

They are on just chick grit and nothing else at the moment for treats. The food looks good. In the water we are putting in quik chick that came with them when we ordered them.

I hear them make the peep noise and go check on them and everyone goes quiet. I wait a little while for it again and they don't do it until I leave.

 

[Shelby Miller]

I attached some pictures of how they look right now. Even in the coolest part that some moved to that is 75 degrees they are laying like this

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm so sorry this is happening...

I had a similar thing happen to me recently. I had a small order arrive, and 1 was really struggling, so I separated her and started spoon feeding water and egg yolk. I did this 2x every hour. I also gave Nutridrench 2x a day. She was laying down, eyes closed, panting. Then another started to decline. I did the same thing with her. The first one recovered but has some significant problems that will necessitate her becoming a house chicken (stunted growth, very poor feathering, partial blindness). The second passed. I am thinking it must have been shipping stress and maybe poor quality chicks.

I agree with @Ridgerunner that it is probably not the temp, esp since you lowered it and you are still having problems. You might try raising the temp again and giving them Nutridrench or egg yolk to get some hydration and energy going. Sav-a-Chick can provide electrolytes if you have that.

I wish I had more concrete answers.