9 week old chicks not eating normal

[Spot1984]

I have 10 9 week old chicks. They are not receiving any supplemental heat. I removed the lamp weeks ago. They are still in the garage due to integrating them to the flock. I am trying to acclimate them to the cold (live in Nebraska) slowly. I have noticed when I feed in the morning they don’t run to the feeder which is abnormal. Are they stressed due to the changes of heat/colder temps?

 

[M-H-Fielding]

I have 10 9 week old chicks. They are not receiving any supplemental heat. I removed the lamp weeks ago. They are still in the garage due to integrating them to the flock. I am trying to acclimate them to the cold (live in Nebraska) slowly. I have noticed when I feed in the morning they don’t run to the feeder which is abnormal. Are they stressed due to the changes of heat/colder temps?

Perhaps, or are they afraid of you? Do they eat the food at all when you're not around?

 

[CHlCKEN]

I have 10 9 week old chicks. They are not receiving any supplemental heat. I removed the lamp weeks ago. They are still in the garage due to integrating them to the flock. I am trying to acclimate them to the cold (live in Nebraska) slowly. I have noticed when I feed in the morning they don’t run to the feeder which is abnormal. Are they stressed due to the changes of heat/colder temps?

You shouldn’t remove the heat lamp/source in the winter EVEN if you are trying to get them used to the cold, because that can be hard for young birds, and the stress might be why they aren’t eating (because they are being chilled which isn’t good) Bring them out on sunny days, out of the brooder/coop, so they get plenty of heat from the sunlight. When they go back in the brooder/coop they need a heat lamp until at least 12 Weeks of age because the cold is hard for such young, birds who aren’t completely feathered in, to tolerate. Slowly wean them off the lamp/heat source, when they are 13 weeks old, and then you can get rid of it probably by 15-20, although there is no reason (other than the extensive amount of electricity they use) to take it away at all in the winter, especially where you live, it’s like taking away our heater in the house, you can live without it, but it’s not the most comfortable.

this may not be the reason they aren’t eating, but you know they are cold if they are huddled up together, And you don’t want that. Just personally (which everything I said above is based upon my opinion in the chickens well-being) I wouldn’t take the heat lamp away until they are 15 weeks, it gives them time to start adjusting to the cold, but have that option to go under it if needed.

 

[Eggcessive]

Most chicks can tolerate cooler temperatures by the time they are fully feathered around 6-7 weeks. That said, it depends on temperatures and the type of coop they live in. Can you describe or post pics of their set up, the chicks as they appear? Are they standing around puffed up or hunched up, lethargic, or having runny poops with or without blood streaks? At their age coccidiosis can be possible, and it is treated with Corid ( amprollium,) which is found at feed stores.

 

[Spot1984]

They have a loss of appetite, are some what lethargic, a mixture of runny poop with no blood(not cecal) and normal poops. Here is a picture of the brooder. I started treating for cocci this morning (Oct 21) just to be on the safe side(9.5cc Corid per gallon of water) I had a brood of chicks that had it once and know how quickly the birds can deteriorate. Am I on the right track? Suggestions?

 

[svh]

My suggestion, since you asked, is to first, get them out of that brooder, and get them outside ! Of course, I don't know your particular situation, but that cage looks awful small for 10 chickens.

 

[Spot1984]

My suggestion, since you asked, is to first, get them out of that brooder, and get them outside ! Of course, I don't know your particular situation, but that cage looks awful small for 10 chickens.

I agree. I normally would not keep them in the brooder this long. I wanted to move them out to the coop much sooner but the weather has been all over the place here in Nebraska. We have gone from below freezing to the other end of the spectrum. My plan was to intergrate this week but now that will be put on hold.

 

[Spot1984]

I agree. I normally would not keep them in the brooder this long. I wanted to move them out to the coop much sooner but the weather has been all over the place here in Nebraska. We have gone from below freezing to the other end of the spectrum. My plan was to intergrate this week but now that will be put on hold. The forecast for the next week isn’t looking much better. We are getting into the teens overnight.

 

[Eggcessive]

Hopefully the Corid will help. Dosage is 2 tsp of the liquid, or 1.5 tsp of the powder per gallon of water for 5-7 days. Have they been getting outside to free range? They are pretty big for a brooder. Do you think they are crowded? I hope they drink the treated water, and you can also mix a little of their feed with some Corid water in it, fresh daily.

 

[Spot1984]

They have been free ranging and yes they are crowded. I need to come up with a plan to house the in the garage now that I can’t integrate them with the flock.