California - Northern

[lawatt]

could the dying chicks have a vitamin deficiency? one of my recent hatchlings had trouble on its second day, and looked like it was gasping/gaping -- i gave them all poly-vi-sol and that chick was good as new the next day. i've kept putting it in their water since, just be on the safe side -- now they're 4 weeks old & healthy as horses.

 

[EZFarms]

It got stuck in reno for almost a full day. my mom is going to call tgem and tell them.

 

[chrissyr]

Sorry that they woke you up! Do you have to be awake when they hatch? I hope that they didn't disturb anyone else in your family.


Do any of you have the heat lamp stand, made by Premier? I ordered one and one leg was chipped when I took it out of the box. Then the leg connecters broke when we were putting it together. I've always liked Premier's product quality, but I don't recommend buying the heat lamp stand.

Oh wow, I was thinking on getting one of those next. Thanks for the update.

Yes the temps are for forced air. I incubate at 100 for the first 18 days and then shoot for 98 at lockdown.

The chart is:

http://homesteadapps.com/app/free/hatchchart/hatchturnscheentry.php

This is one I did for @tommysgirl



I also use dry incubation so the first 17 days are at 35% humidity and I hatch at 70%

Thank you Ron

Exactly!

It is a good thing that I am at work today. I expect to have at least 10 hatched when I get home tonight. I do not help any more and cull weak ones quickly so that they do not suffer.

I do agree. When you're starting out it's easy to get lost in the one. I'm still at that stage. But i think after so many chicks, it's hard to keep up. And the stronger ones do make a healthier flock.

 

[EZFarms]

They have a 3 day guarantee and i messaged them last night so they are aware of it

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Okay lets look at it this way. this is what all of the ones who died have done: get larthargic,stop eating/drinking,lay down and keep their eyes. losed then thry stop chirping. also some of them did the gasping for air thing iddk if the others did though

So sorry for your poor chicks and that you are having such a bad experience. It sounds like the chicks got too cold during shipping and had permanent damage done to vital organs. You are doing everything possible to help those survive that are destined to survive. Unfortunately, there are some chicks that will not make it no matter how much you try; there's just nothing that can be done for them and their fate was sealed before you received them.

I hope you take comfort in the fact that you are doing everything possible and have probably saved some that would have been lost under the care of a less attentive person.

Good wishes for the rest of the chicks.

 

[capayvalleychick]

Thank you! I have been looking for something like this but won't buy this one! I Mickey Moused a pipe over my stock tank brooder to hold my heat lamp. I told DH that I've learned from him how to make due with what we have around the house! I do think that I have him convinced that buying a heat plate or two would be a good idea. My electric bill was about $50 more this past month due I think to heat lamps and incubators.

I just got an email from Premier:

" I'm sorry that you had a problem with the stand. We agree that it needs to to be made stronger
but the company that makes them will not change. We have searched for a better one but there are none to be found. Premier is working on a new version but will not be out until this fall.
I can send you a replacement or I can refund you for the one you have ."

So, as usual, they do have great customer service. Those of you wanting one may want to wait until Fall, for the new version. Or, this could be am opportunity for someone to make & market a heat lamp stand that is sturdy!

 

[ronott1]

It got stuck in reno for almost a full day. my mom is going to call tgem and tell them.

That is your answer. They were in a cold place for too long and it damaged their organs. You are not doing anything wrong.

 

[ronott1]

I just got an email from Premier:

" I'm sorry that you had a problem with the stand. We agree that it needs to to be made stronger
but the company that makes them will not change. We have searched for a better one but there are none to be found. Premier is working on a new version but will not be out until this fall.
I can send you a replacement or I can refund you for the one you have ."

So, as usual, they do have great customer service. Those of you wanting one may want to wait until Fall, for the new version. Or, this could be am opportunity for someone to make & market a heat lamp stand that is sturdy!

They seem to listen too. Thee is a threat for their hat place. Some complained that it was a bit too hot and wondered if there was a way to control the temps. Premier was contacted ant the next ones shipped out were a bit cooler.

 

[capayvalleychick]

It got stuck in reno for almost a full day. my mom is going to call tgem and tell them.

I'm sorry about all your losses. Those chicks don't seem very hardy. People on here have been posting photos of Silkies, and I see them at shows, so there are plenty of them in this region. Why don't you buy some from a local breeder?
Last year, there were Silkies for sale at the Red Bluff show. That's at the end of March.

 

[PetRock]

I just got an email from Premier:

" I'm sorry that you had a problem with the stand. We agree that it needs to to be made stronger
but the company that makes them will not change. We have searched for a better one but there are none to be found. Premier is working on a new version but will not be out until this fall.
I can send you a replacement or I can refund you for the one you have ."

So, as usual, they do have great customer service. Those of you wanting one may want to wait until Fall, for the new version. Or, this could be am opportunity for someone to make & market a heat lamp stand that is sturdy!

I've used my heavy duty camera tripod before. It worked when I had a whole room for my brooders and incubators. I put it in the corner where I wouldn't bump it and double secured the lamp with wire attached to a hook in the wall. My 22 yr old moved back home temporarily and there went my chick room! Now the brooder is in my family room by the backdoor and not by a usable corner. I sure miss having a chicken room!