Baby chicks wings dragging, what does this mean?

[enola]

Your chicks are COLD. They cannot stand cold and wet.

Check your waterer, it must be the source of all the dampness.

Do you have them in a cardboard box ? If you do, it will hold moisture.

 

[shay20]

Will they go on a roost they are only a week old? I have one waterer it is elivated i cant elivate it anyomore or they wont reach it. The food i put in 2 big coffie can covers in 2 spots becouse they do push and gather too much i saw that the first day i hade them. there are now 28 in area of i think it 2 feet by 1 and half foot and way tall, i was last night on turning it the other way so they have a way a lot of room.

 

[LynneP]

These birds are going to die if you do not act, fast.
Too many birds for that space.
Waterer is probably swinging, leaking. Try pie plate with marbles in it, on a slightly elevated stand, like a piece of wood. Yes they will use roosts to keep warm and dry, mine had wood scraps from FIRST day. Birds are too crowded. Get going- hot water bottles, towels, paper towel under water.
Dry
Warm
Dry
Warm

You are probably going to have to handle each chick in a warm towel and get it back under heat asap.

 

[shay20]

Ok what do you mean hot water bottle? We are already changing them into another box putting light and cover to get them back warm there are 3 acting like that, one already died, Thanks for the advice, i had babys but only like 4 or 5 at a time this is my first time havinf so many at once, well no my we had a year ago 20 but it was summer and it was hot, and we never had this promblem, we did not loose not 1 .

 

[LynneP]

Sometimes when you're working with chicks it helps to have a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel to keep them warm while you're handling them. Stay with them, this isn't over. Week-olds need constant heat plus the ability to move out of it when too hot. Water should be in low dish like pie plate filled with marbles to keep them from falling in, or could be in 1 gal waterer placed on something to keep it up a bit. Lots of paper towelling to keep spills from spreading. Don't leave these birds for more than a few minutes until the ones with symptoms recover. Are the ones with drooping wings improving? Are all chicks eating/drinking?

 

[RendonRoo]

Just a thought.. How about a heating pad under brooder. I've wondered about this but not ever seen it mentioned. It might be the help your light needs to get it a little warmer. Any one else have thoughts on this?

 

[LynneP]

What does your thermometer read now? You might need to go up to 85 for a while now. Are other chicks pipping normally?
Thermometer should be flat on bedding, on top.

RendonRoo- might be necessary to ge things warmer. I don't think Shay can leave it though, he's using cardboard.

 

[shay20]

Ok the ones that are drooping are eating and drinking, i put them seperated in a towel cover box with light that one reads 90 they look better already more hiper,, Thats funny im putting hand warmers in the box that i just switched them too untill it gets up to heat.

 

[LynneP]

Shay, I have to sign off. If you have to elevate the temp higher I'd do it.
I'll come back later to check, and meanwhile I hope others will join you in getting these chicks warm...

 

[andehens]

keep following LynnP's excellant instructions, how ever those chicks also need to be able to get away from the heat source if it gets to hot for them. Did you put in a small pieces of wood for them to stay dry?