Baby Chicks Dead :'(

[hlf1996]

I recieved my chicks today and 7:00 AM and all 25 were healthy looking. I put them in their brooder (which was prepared) and the temp was around 95.. I went to school and when I got home 7 were dead/dieing! 6 are now dead and one dosent look good.. What could be wrong with them? Their feet are straight out and their heads are twisted by the time they are dead and they feel warm and then all of a sudden cold. All the other looks healthy (hopefully stay healthy) and I dont know what to do or what is wrong. Please help

 

[terrilhb]

I don't know but I am so sorry.

 

[Break an Egg]

could they really just be sunbathing? sometimes they will look dead when they are

also, are there any drafts? besides it being warm enough, there needs to be no drafts.

 

[Keene's coop]

sorry to hear

 

[nobodyherebutuschickens]

Are they eating and drinking? Is there something scary nearby that would cause them stress?

 

[hlf1996]

Nothing scary, and no drafts :'( I am heartbroken I really was excited about this batch of chicks

 

[Judy]

Sorry you lost your chicks.

Are the rest eating and drinking? Have you dipped beaks in the water and tapped the food to show them where they are?

If they were shipped then they were stressed from the shipping which is sometimes too much for them. There needs to be enough room in the brooder that they can get away from the heat to a cooler spot if they want. little too much sarmth combined with the dehydration from shipping can be too much for them.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=39604

 

[Break an Egg]

Quote:
I am so sorry. I don't know what the cause could be. I just lost a nice broody hen and 12 chicks to a stupid possum two nights ago.

 

[biddybird]

I don't want this to sound bad but have you checked the temperature? It should be around 95 and they should have room to move away if it gets too hot in case your thermometer is wrong. (I have had this happen) Did you dip their beaks in water and throw feed on the ground. I don't put mine on shavings until they are eating good. I use rubber shelving mats for about 5 days. You might add 5tbs sugar to a gallon of water and shake until clear. It will give them energy. That is an emergency fix. I use vitamins and electrolytes powder and Duramycin(1 teaspoon to a gallon of water) from the feed store for at least a week. You might also boil a couple of eggs and crumble them up and give them to them. They may just be at the point that they are starving and weak depending on how long they were in shipping. Our local hatchery does not put gro gel or anything in with the chicks anymore and I can really tell they need to eat when they get to me.

Good luck and sorry for your loss

 

[hlf1996]

I gave them vitamins and electrolytes, the temperature was right I double checked with another thermometer, and the 19 I have left do look healthy and happy. They were shipped and yes I did dip each chicks beak in water and shown each were food is. I may boil some eggs and give them to them. And yes maybe the shipping did cause stress which is why the ones that died did die. I am going to call welp tomorrow or Sunday and tell them how many we have lost. And the smaller chick are pecking at the bigger ones (all same breed) how can I reduce this? And do they normally do it? Also I am using a "red" heat light not a white one if that makes a difference. Thanks everyone for the apologies, Hannah.