Baby chicks keep dyeing for no apparent reason.

[Hazel feather]

So I hatched out one chick out of shipped eggs . She was lonely and I bought her five other chicks to keep her company . This was Saturday 7 February . On Thursday , one chick died . Stretched out , neck extended and legs stretched out . On Friday , two more died . They were in a big area , lots of food and fresh water so I decided to make the area smaller because it seemed as if they were out from under the brooder too long and then went back under and died . Two more died after I made the area smaller . One side of the brooder ( it’s a heat plate ) is higher so they can move around if they get too hot. The last one is continuously crying . There were no symptoms of any disease/ sickness . Anyone have any idea what caused this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[kattabelly]

Could you post a photo of the area they're in, and of the chicks themselves (the survivor and/or any pics you took before the others died)? You say they didn't appear sick but how were they behaving, generally, before they died? Any chance they could've been exposed to some kind of environmental toxin - mouldy food or bedding, fumes from vehicle exhausts or non-stick cookware if the brooder is in a garage or kitchen, any other chemicals..?

 

[ksbkeys]

So I hatched out one chick out of shipped eggs . She was lonely and I bought her five other chicks to keep her company . This was Saturday 7 February . On Thursday , one chick died . Stretched out , neck extended and legs stretched out . On Friday , two more died . They were in a big area , lots of food and fresh water so I decided to make the area smaller because it seemed as if they were out from under the brooder too long and then went back under and died . Two more died after I made the area smaller . One side of the brooder ( it’s a heat plate ) is higher so they can move around if they get too hot. The last one is continuously crying . There were no symptoms of any disease/ sickness . Anyone have any idea what caused this?

Thanks in advance.

Are you monitoring the temperature i. the brooder with a thermometer?

 

[Hazel feather]

Could you post a photo of the area they're in, and of the chicks themselves (the survivor and/or any pics you took before the others died)? You say they didn't appear sick but how were they behaving, generally, before they died? Any chance they could've been exposed to some kind of environmental toxin - mouldy food or bedding, fumes from vehicle exhausts or non-stick cookware if the brooder is in a garage or kitchen, any other chemicals..?

Thanks for the reply!
I don’t have any photos but they were acting like normal chicks , digging in the wood chips , eating , drinking and running around. They were in an empty shed , so no exposure to chemicals etc . Then all of a sudden they die . The first chick to die was normal in the morning and then dead within a few hours , no symptoms or anything .

 

[Hazel feather]

Are you monitoring the temperature i. the brooder with a thermometer?

Thanks for the reply !
Yep , I monitor the temp with a thermometer it’s at a stable 95 f .

 

[kattabelly]

Not standing hunched up at all?

Where did you get the other chicks from, and is it all those that died or four of them plus the single chick that you hatched?

 

[Hazel feather]

I got them from a breeder . They all acted perfectly normal , no weird poop or hunched over . Four of the new ones plus the chick that I hatched died .

 

[debid]

Photos can show things you didn't mention and may not realize are an issue. You are using a heat plate and only a heat plate? What brand/model is it? Is it easy for them to go in/out? Any potential for drafts in their space as the door is opened/closed? What is the temperature of the air in the shed? What breed of chicks are these? Any tremors observed? Were you checking backsides for pasting at least daily?