6 week old chicks are killing each other

[farrier!]

We had to set up a second brooder and for the first week had a white heat lamp. Things were so much quieter when we replaced it with a red one.
Hopefully the higher protein and a red or no light at night will solve things. Glad they sound a bit better with the starter.

 

[bradleyfarm]

Quote:
Thank you

I never thought it was a problem until my husband thought that the late night preaching might be stressing them out with all the yelling

(he's a nut)

 

[bradleyfarm]

We got through last night without loosing a single bird

. We seperated a few birds, but the others stayed where they were. We gave then more starter, changed the music to soft rock, and poured a little water on the floor... they like to peck in the mud. Were working on some hard boiled eggs as we speak. We, my husband, and I, want to thank you all for all the advice. We were at a loss.. we didn't know what we were doing wrong.

The people of BYC aare the best

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Sounds like over crowding and lack of proper nutrition.

Scratch has very little nutrition for growing chicks. It would be like feeding white bread or white rice to a todler 3 meals a day.

35 chicks in a 8 x 12 (96 sq ft) is only 2.7 sq ft per bird AND you're going to add more???

You need more space and very important to finish the run to give those chicks more space to get out of the coop - poor things.

After loosing birds last year for lack of run, you should have added the run this year prior to getting more birds.

Check out the Learning Center on the Homepage so you can read up on how to take care of your birds properly.

 

[speckledhen]

Until chicks are several weeks old, they only need 1/2 sf per chick. After about 4 weeks, I'd increase the size by double. Then 3 sf around 12 weeks, then full size by 16 weeks old or so. These numbers are not set in stone, just a guideline, but they really need the space and it's easier to clean and keep dry when they are not overcrowded. That is interior space only.

 

[annek]

I hope they do better for you, how horrible to see your babies going after one another like that. I agree that something must have been stressing them out. I used to play hide and seek with my babies when they were little. I would chop up things like broccoli, fruit etc. and throw it in a box of sand all mixed up. It would keep them busy for a few hours scratching through everything to find the treats. It kept them surprisingly entertained and everyday they looked forward to their special box!

Good luck!

 

[bradleyfarm]

~*Sweet Cheeks*~ :

Sounds like over crowding and lack of proper nutrition.

Scratch has very little nutrition for growing chicks. It would be like feeding white bread or white rice to a todler 3 meals a day.

35 chicks in a 8 x 12 (96 sq ft) is only 2.7 sq ft per bird AND you're going to add more???

You need more space and very important to finish the run to give those chicks more space to get out of the coop - poor things.

After loosing birds last year for lack of run, you should have added the run this year prior to getting more birds.

Check out the Learning Center on the Homepage so you can read up on how to take care of your birds properly.

I didn't loose any birds to lack of space until just this week.. when I lost them before it was because of the hawks, and that was over 2 years ago.. those birds were free range. I don't want that to happen again. So I guess in ways I fixed one problem, and created another.

As to the scratch.. my husband spoke to a few of the old farmers around here that have been raising chickens for years, and they told him to get the chicks on scratch as soon as possable. We thought we were doing what we were saposed too. Obviously from whats been happening they were very wrong. I feel terriable for stressing, and ultimately costing the life of 4 of my chicks. I feel so terriable now.......​

 

[bradleyfarm]

We took some hard boiled eggs, as well as some apples to the coop this morning. I picked grass along the way. We are going to the feed store this evening to get grit, and more starter. Any other sugestion for other stuff I might need before I go??

Is it ok to give chickens water mellon, or bread??.. wheat bread not white bread...

 

[Chickenmaven]

The egg & grass are great. Mine like the spinach, dandelions, and lettuce from our yard, too. If you concentrate on bringing these kids back from a nutritional deficiency, they will be fine in a matter of days.

 

[Sillystunt]

Quote:
Believe it or not I'm playing religious music.. it's easy listening, and sometimes theirs even preaching....

that would do it for me...lol Sorry i couldn't resist either