Baby questions any help appreciated

[GhostRider65]

Ok my new chicks came today 3 were lost before arrival, but the rest appear to be doing ok, I have a sweeter heater in the approx. 4x4 brooder about 10 inches up its 100 degrees directly under the heater, 75 about at the front of the brooder, there is also a brooder lamp just a red bulb 100 watts right in the back next to the heater facing the wall, they seem to want to be in the corner were the red bulb is? but spread out all over to eat drink and look for lost pieces of boiled egg. LOL they love that, mixed a tad of yogurt in it tonight but they smooshed it all up and didn't eat as much as just the egg this morning. anyway is the temp ok or should I still move it up I wanted about 94 but I'm having a hard time getting it set just the right height, to get that temp, its either 100 or 80, ggggrrrrrr and Ive been playing with it 2 days while waiting for them to get here.
Also is it possible they came with mites or something several of them scratch like a dog? If so how do I find them they are so fuzzy? I see nothing but have been letting them de-stress today and haven't handled them much yet, will do a better inspection tomorrow. They were so scared and cold I was worried they would all die, it's like 7 degrees this morning and only 55 in my basement. so what do ya think too hot then why go in that corner it has to be the hottest corner when they first were put in there they all huddles there a long time. heres a pic. so you can see I hope what I'm talking about.

 

[Wisher1000]

It looks like a good set-up! Are you feeding any crumbles? I feed mine medicated starter crumbles until they are at least 12 weeks then start mixing it with layer pellets. I feed them eggs, greens, bread, in small quanities as treats/supplements only. Oh, on the temp, if it is 100 under the light and they can pick the area where they spend their time, they will regulate their temps on their own. They will get closer or further away depending on what they need. I use two brooder lamps with regular light bulbs (60 and 100 watts) so they can choose and so that if one blows while I'm away, they will have another until I check back on them again. I don't know about mites, maybe someone else will chime in on that. Good luck and have fun!

 

[clairabean]

My chicks scratch themselves under their wings, kind of like a dog. No mites, clean birds. I think it is itchy for them growing all those feathers.

 

[ralleia]

As long as there's a range of temperatures available in the brooder, they should be fine. I certainly wouldn't get anything OVER 100 degrees (I shoot for about 95 at the warmest). When they're tuckered out from playing and eating, then they're going to go into a warm spot, pile up and snooze. That's what a good chick does--eat, drink, play, sleep, and poop!

My chickies scratch a bit sometimes--I wouldn't worry too terribly much as long as it doesn't seem to be spreading.

Overall, it looks like a good setup and the chicks look perky and happy. My only concern is if that heat lamp is too close to anything flammable--I couldn't tell very well what the materials and orientations were from the photo.

 

[GhostRider65]

Thanks all, yah the picture is hard to tell but the light is facing the wall the house is plywood and its about 6 inches back from each side wall, and hangs on the ceiling by 2 cup hooks holding a dowel rod, so a fire shouldn't be a worry.
I did check them all out good today cleaned a couple butts, with pooh stuck to them nothing bad just looked like it stuck instead of dropping.
I do feed the non medicated crumbles, this was there first feeding before I put that in there, I read to feed them the eggs first then add the starter but I did sprinkle it on top to give them the idea., they really like the eggs much better..hehehe. fussy babies already, but I don't think they can live on just eggs so they will have to get over it.. anyone have any idea what kind of chicks these are theres suppose to be Barred Rocks in there I don't see any ??? TY Kim

 

[Fred's Hens]

One Barred Rock for sure, maybe two. Hard to see.

Lots of white fluff balls that could be a couple of things, like leghorn or even meat birds.

 

[GhostRider65]

Well this is what My order was suppose to be
5 Mottled Ancona's that sold out before my shipment so none of those........
5Buff orpingtons, I think them are all here
5 Barred Plymouth Rocks ??? able I don't see any that look like the rocks at TSC
5 Speckled sussex, after the anconas I asked for 5 more of these to replace the sold out ones they shipped 5, lost 3 my DOA's
5 Delawares Got none, so ended up with 17 chicks out of 30 that was ordered waiting for some reply from the company.
5 Assorted Wyandottes
So you all tell me whats what, also 1 of the smallish chicks I think a wyandotte it looks more like a wild quial or chip munk, is lethargic since arrival I haven't seen it eat or drink much sleeps alot I think I'm going to loose this 1 as well, the rest seem to be doing good, I removed the toweling from over there sand today they are having a blast, I also put their log roost in for them to explore on. so mostly happy chirping running around like mad chicks.
Kim
Edit 11:36pm....anything I can try for my sick baby, I think another speckled sussex, that was sick since arrival I have tried all day to get water and or food in her feeding her 1 drop at a time with an eye dropper, and she is not well at all, she is breathing heavilly and will not eat/drink on her own, hasn't really all day yesterday she ate a little, I tried everything yogurt, mashed eggs, mush made from her crumbles she won't even peck at it?????? argggggggg I really hate this, I know she's gonna die and I've read many many times that some just ain't gonna make it, but it's so hard to watch them die and know nothing you tried did any good........... I am so not good at this.

Kim

 

[GhostRider65]

I new it was coming since they arrived, but didn't think she would stay this long, I must have been getting just enough water in her with the eye dropper
to keep her alive, but it did no good today. I could'nt even get a drop in she was just too weak. RIP my little Speckled Sussex baby............

So now out of supposed to be 10 speckled I have 1 and no reply from the place I ordered them, will be calling again tomorrow.

 

[CathyM]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your little chick!!

It hasn't happened to me yet, but I"m dreading it... you have lots of other cuties; hope you can get much joy from them. Just think that a really weak, sick chick might not have had a great life even if she made it.
Hang in there - sounds like you're doing a great job so far.