5 day old chick found dead under heat plate.

[RenegadeJane]

So I've got a fresh flock from a Cackle surprise box. I believe there were 19 when I received them on Friday.

I just built a big wooden brooder for our basement. It has a red LED light, water, wet grain and a brooder heat plate. (The one recommended for 20 chicks)


This morning I went to check on them. Half were under the heat plate so I picked it up to discover one chick was dead, (flattened really) under the rest. She was the only gold one in the bunch so she stood out to me. And she had appeared fine the previous day. I had even taken a short video of her for identification proposes later. Is it possible she just got smothered by the other chicks? Should I just call this a freak accident or start troubleshooting my set up? She did feel very light and skinny, I didn't get the impression she was full of food or anything. Chicks are vaccinated if that matters.

Thanks!

 

[nikolairapunzel]

I have never had that happen but I know it is possible for a.chick to be trampled/smothered. So do you have a.red heat lamp and a heat plate for them to warm under? Is the basement super cold? You probably don't need both heat sources unless it is very cold in the basement.

 

[RenegadeJane]

Basement is around 60°F. I only have the heat plate going. I do have a heat lamp but am not currently using it. They seem fine to venture around the brooder and then return to the plate when they need it. Half the time I check on them most are venturing around, not huddled.

 

[nikolairapunzel]

Seems like your setup is great. I think it may have just been one of those losses that was just an accident and no fault of yours . Sorry for your loss.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi, sorry for the loss of your chick. Can you post a picture of your setup?

 

[RenegadeJane]

Well I just lost another one. Found them exact same way in exact same spot under plate heater. Last night most were sleeping outside the plate so my husband raised it up a bit higher in case it was too warm. Now I check on them in the morning and another dead.

Argggh! What are we doing wrong? This isn't my first time doing this, I thought I had it all figured out by now.

 

[50-45-1]

Did you start the chicks on electolite vitamins suppliment in their water when they arrived?
It can really help chicks recover from shipping stress.
Any week chicks can easily be smothered and squished by the other more vibrant and active chicks.
Is your chick starter medicated?
Watch for any chicks that are sleeping alot, and any signs of weekness like stumbling and being knocked over by the others. Remove those to a recovery area where they will be given the chick powder in their water and peace and quiet.
What kind of shavings in brooder?

 

[RenegadeJane]

Here's my set up. I just grabbed a few cycle to do an inspection and found one with a bad case of pastry butt. The dead ones didn't have that though.

I'm starting to wonder if they aren't using the waterer. I dipped their beaks the first day but haven't caught them using it much since. I try an refresh it a couple times a day do I dunno what the problem could be.

 

[RenegadeJane]

Did you start the chicks on electolite vitamins suppliment in their water when they arrived?
It can really help chicks recover from shipping stress.
Any week chicks can easily be smothered and squished by the other more vibrant and active chicks.
Is your chick starter medicated?
Watch for any chicks that are sleeping alot, and any signs of weekness like stumbling and being knocked over by the others. Remove those to a recovery area where they will be given the chick powder in their water and peace and quiet.
What kind of shavings in brooder?

I give ACV in their water. Feed is unmedicated since they are vaccinated. Shavings are pine. I bought some nutri drench with my first flock. I can try and find where that is maybe and give them that.

 

[50-45-1]

I would not use the vinegar in their water at this age. It may discourage them from drinking it.
Use fresh water and get some quick chick or elecrolite to give them a boost.
Also i dont use a waterer that large until mine are much larger. Chicks so small can drown. I use the smaller chick waterers that take a jar. Easier to add the chick powder (and sugar) and provide fresh water a couple times daily.