baby chicks have simething and are dying plz help me

[MrsBrooke]

Does that heater keep their brooder at a constant 90°?

MrsB

 

[marcus connor]

Does that heater keep their brooder at a constant 90°?

MrsB

I don't know but when it's on it really hot so yes

 

[MrsBrooke]

Well, something is amiss.

MrsB

 

[marcus connor]

Well, something is amiss.

MrsB

What do you mean

 

[MrsBrooke]

Chicks need a brooder.

Are you keeping them in that bird cage? What kind of heater do you have?

Assuming your brooder isn't the issue, have you gotten a chance to grab some Corid?

MrsB

 

[marcus connor]

That is the cage I am keeping them in, it's a old rabbit cage.

This is the heater in the room with the chicks.

No I have not been able to get some corid, but I'm working on it.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

That heater is not likely to be able to maintain the sort of constant temperature that these little ones need at this stage - and the fluctuations in temperature are a stressor to them which makes them more vulnerable to other causes of death in addition to the chance of becoming chilled and/or overheated (both of which can happen with that sort of heat setup)

 

[MrsBachbach]

That is the cage I am keeping them in, it's a old rabbit cage.

This is the heater in the room with the chicks.

No I have not been able to get some corid, but I'm working on it.

Yes, your heat set up is likely the problem. Chicks need a draft free brooding area. A large cardboard box is better than a rabbit cage which is open all around. If you don't have a heat lamp, you can use a 60 or 75 watt bulb (a 250 watt would be overkill in that little cage). The old style bulbs, not those new flourescent ones. Just pick up a heat lamp shield at walmart (comes with the cord and plug) in the hardware section and put a 75 watt bulb in it (incandescent). Suspend that above the chicks cage about 18 inches above the floor area. It would really help if you could get a simple mercury thermometer under the lamp to read the temp under the lamp. You raise or lower the lamp to adjust the temperature. You need 90 degrees right under the lamp. As the chicks grow you can drop the temperature by 5 degrees each week. If they are huddled right under the lamp, they are still too cold. If they are hanging out around the perimeter of the lamp, they are comfortable. If they are as far away as they can get from the lamp, they are overheated.

 

[MrsBrooke]

This is solid advice.

I'd go to the nearest feed store and pick up a brooder heat lamp. Since we're in the middle of "chick season," anyone at the store should be able to help you get what you need, so your babies can be happy and healthy.

It is *imperative* for their lives that they be kept at a steady temperature following the forumla:

1st week, 95 degrees.
2nd week, 90 degrees
3rd week, 85 degrees
4th weeks, 80 degrees

By the 5th weeks, they should be fully feathered and be able to maintain a steady temp (unless the weather is super crummy).

In addition, they require a brooder that is enclosed, for the most part, and is able to hold the heat in. The wire cage they have now allows pretty much all the heat to escape.

I know your heart is in the right place and I know you want to do what is best for your chicks... You've gotta keep them warm!

MrsB

 

[marcus connor]

Will do.