6 week old chicks are killing each other

[Pampered Hen]

Sounds like you are on the right track now. Just make sure they have access to their chick starter at all times and never run out. Same goes for water. Make sure it is fresh. Chicks are really good in soiling their water...
Chick starter should provide all the nutrition they need. If you can find it, get poultry vitamins. It usually comes in powder form and is added to the drinking water. It might help level out any deficiencies they might have developed. As to other snacks, keep them at a minimum. A teaspon of lowfat natural yogurt is very healthy, so is fresh clover and grass.

And for the music... just turn it off. Let them get used to the natural sounds in and around the coop. You will be surprised how quick they will learn recognize the different sounds including your voice. Give them the quiet time they need especially at night.

And for the light: if they don't need the brooder lamp anymore, turn the light off at night. Their physical development is tied to the natural light and dark pattern. Take advantage of that.

Good luck!

 

[bradleyfarm]

I wanted to give an up date... We did all the stuff that was advised here, and what we found out is we had 1 small chicken snake. It wasn't big enough to eat them. It was just big enough to terrorise them. Because of all the advise we received here we were spending alot more time with the chicks at the coop... as in 4 or 5 hrs. I was changing their water, and apparently I disturbed it. Just after I got back with fresh water, I saw the chicken snake hanging on the chicken's bottom. It was running around just squacking so loud.. scared the crap out of me. My husband, king kong, stomped, and finally killed the snake.

Later yesturday evening he killed a second chicken snake. It didn't even get close to the coop. So today they are acting like regular chicks. We believe the snake was the problem all along. sincerely all of you, thanks for all your help. Were going to keep them on the starter, and keep the treats comming...

 

[farrier!]

Wow.....glad you found the problem!

 

[AHappychick]

wow well that is not the answer I was expecting, congrats for figuring it out! poor chicks

butt bitting snake

 

[Agape Builder]

Wow, Judy, glad you found that problem out as soon as possible!

To answer a couple of your other questions... The fruit are just for occasional treats, but watermelon (or other melons) can be given (with the rind) with the rind to the ground. The chicks will pick at the inside and leave the rind alone, but they often will leave the melon alone if it is not in the rind.

The old farmers say to keep the chicks on scratch, but that is based on old farming ideas which are often good, but in this case, are not. In recent years, the industry has come a long way in understanding of the nutritional needs of chickens.

Like others said, a red light is a lot better than a white one, but at six weeks, kill the light altogether. I live in Florida, and your Texas environment is very close to mine. I can tell you that I have 21 one week old silky chicks in my outside brooder and they hardly need the light I have in there. It is just already so hot at this time of the year that your chicks most certainly don't need the light for heat. Also, like others said, they need the darkness for good rest and quiet. You will not ever see chicks attacking each other in the dark...

Like the others said, keeping the chicks occupied with educational toys will help. One of the best treats that you can give to your chicks at this age during the day is crickets. Get some crickets and throw one at a time in amongst the chicks and get ready to laugh! You will have almost more fun than the chicks watching them catch the crickets and running away from each other playing "keep away." This teaches the chicks how to hunt for bugs while giving them a super nutritional protein blast!

I think that your chicks are at a good age for you to put in things like a weighted down box on it's side, something that gives the chicks something to run around in their "keep away" games and also something to perch upon. I find that my chicks like a box with a hole in the top.

I also put a grill (from a barbeque grill) in the brooder pen with the bottom end dug into the dirt a bit and leaning against the wall at about a 35-45 degree angle. That gives the chicks something to climb on and play on. My chicks were playing on that at three days old.

Always keep starter feed available and also water. Occassionally, some electrolyte / vitamin mix in the water helps if the chicks have not had the best nutrition.

And, of course, watch out for those snakes!

 

[DeerFangRanch]

Makes me SO HAPPY I live too high for snakes (one of the big reasons we live here

)

I HATE SNAKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[franko]

bradleyfarm


Working with birds is always a learning experience. Even the pros lose birds. Don't let anyone hurt your feelings or discourage you. Just keep reading this board. There are many knowledgeable people who are glad to answer questions you have. One can only do the best they can. Good Luck frankoo

 

[speckledhen]

Sounds like things are getting better now. Glad you're on the right track and hope things continue to improve for you and the birds!

 

[bradleyfarm]

Quote:

Thank you so much. All the advice has opened my eyes to alot of stuff I was doing wrong. I have a funny feeling the snake problem is just starting though. On the news they were reporting about all the snake sightings so fare this year. If it's on the news it must be very bad.

 

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
my first thoughts too.

That said, maybe they' re too crowded. six weeks seems early for scratch. If your feeding medicatied started seems to me vitamins are not necessary. I did give mine pieces of lettuce to deal with. Sometimes I think folks try too hard, keep it simple. If they're drawing blood, are you using a "red" light? Killing each other seems extreme.