Chick die off using brooder plate

[Aki no niwatori]

I know there is always a slight chance of a die off during the first week but i feel so helpless. I have had three chicks die so far. I need to know what I can do to prevent anything further. Ive been changing the water regularly and cleaning up the bedding.

Two andulusians and 1 supposed wyandotte.
Two of them died under the plate and the other next to it. They all willingly hide under there so I am unsure of the problem. I am just short of buying a camera to keep and eye on them while im at work.

All but Wynnie the week older wyandotte is from murrays.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I haven't used a heat plate. Maybe move the food and water closer to the plate so they stay near the heat more. Did you give any sort of electrolytes the first few days to help them get started? Sometimes shipped chicks get too depleted during the shipping and arrive with low blood sugar. For some the whole shipping process can be too much unfortunately especially if the weather is too hot or cold.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can the brooder plate touch their backs or heads? What is the temperature of the room they are in? Brooder plates wouldn’t provide enough heat in very cold temps outside. As said, chicks can suffer shipping stress in transit. Get them drinking some fluids by dipping beaks, and show them the food, and a couple of drops of Poultry Cell or NutriDrench may give a boost. Look for stuck on poop that is blocking the vents. Sorry for your loss.

 

[KRack]

Do you know the temperature under the brooder plate?

 

[Aki no niwatori]

I do not
The room is about 75. I have had them for 4 days. I currently have one dying. Need help. started another thread as well. much panick. kinda gasping. fed egg yolk, and water wit probiotics.

 

[Eggcessive]

Try and get a thermometer to check the temp under the brooder. They should be at 90 degrees the first week, and decrease by 5 degrees a week. Shipping stress can happen and can show up for the first week of life. I would continue trying to revive them with fluids and electrolytes. Check for pasty butt, and clean off if seen. Call the hatchery and tell them of your losses. I hope they survive.

 

[aart]

Try and get a thermometer to check the temp under the brooder. They should be at 90 degrees the first week, and decrease by 5 degrees a week.

Those temps are for using a lamp (and not really accurate) and not how a plate works.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

The plates usually aren't warm enough for chicks that were shipped because they're often chilled on arrival.

 

[Aki no niwatori]

I did not know that. I used the plate initially due to my Sebright chick having a nasty recurring case of pasty but.

The plates usually aren't warm enough for chicks that were shipped because they're often chilled on arrival.

Update: I did lose the chick but I have since cleaned the entire brooder replaced the bedding and added vitamins and probiotics to the water. I switched the plate for a heat lamp due to concerns about the temp. The temperature near the heat lamp is currently at 93 with the ambient house temperature at 69.

Prior to the sicknesses, all chicks were active and well to the best of my knowledge. These last two chicks did not die in the position I was accustomed to for birds. they were rather curled up rather than legs spread out.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I did not know that. I used the plate initially due to my Sebright chick having a nasty recurring case of pasty but.




Update: I did lose the chick but I have since cleaned the entire brooder replaced the bedding and added vitamins and probiotics to the water. I switched the plate for a heat lamp due to concerns about the temp. The temperature near the heat lamp is currently at 93 with the ambient house temperature at 69.

Prior to the sicknesses, all chicks were active and well to the best of my knowledge. These last two chicks did not die in the position I was accustomed to for birds. they were rather curled up rather than legs spread out.

I always use a lamp for at least a week with the plate as well, so they aren't getting chilled right off the bat and can start stabilizing. They tend to learn after a few days of being shoved under the plate how to use it