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.

 

[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?

 

[SummerTheAnimalGirl]

Yes, pics of the brooder would be very helpful!

 

[Shelby Miller]

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.

Will they come back from being too hot?

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]

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?

I just uploaded it!

 

[SummerTheAnimalGirl]

Will they come back from being too hot?

Yes, they probably will. But it depends if some really got to overheated. The chicks in the photo look ok tho! I would move the water and food further away from the heat source tho.

 

[SummerTheAnimalGirl]

They are such cute chicks!

 

[SummerTheAnimalGirl]

You could also give them a little sugar water or poultry nutri-drench to give them a little extra boost. Not to much though. How are the baby’s doing?

 

[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.