Chicks dropping like flies

[HaliefromSC]

This is how I made my tote brooder boxes.
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This is how I made the poles to suspend my heat lamps on. They're fully adjustable. Not only do I use the clamp, but have a chain that adjusts for extra protection against it falling.
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Being fully adjustable, it goes from the brooder boxes, to a large dog crate, when they're more feathered in, and need more room.
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I love that! Thanks for sharing, what great examples!!!

 

[getaclue]

Notice too, that I don't overcrowd. They grow fast, and what would hold 10- one week old chicks, becomes way too small for that many, in a short time.

 

[HaliefromSC]

Notice too, that I don't overcrowd. They grow fast, and what would hold 10- one week old chicks, becomes way too small for that many, in a short time.

I agree, and I think she had 14 in a tote right, then combined some from other totes. Anywho, I love your set up! Thank you for sharing it really helps with my chickenbrainstorming ideas! I love when others share!

 

[NonnasBabies]

No totes for these chicks. There's 32 babies in this kiddie poolView attachment 1438867 with pine shavings like some of the other members suggested and quick chick electrolytes in their water. No problems at all, well except they've been listening to too much Scooby Doo on TV. Oopsie.

Have you figured out how your going to cover this so their not everywhere's?? It won't keep them in there for long??

 

[HaliefromSC]

Have you figured out how your going to cover this so their not everywhere's?? It won't keep them in there for long??

Cover this? Why would I cover it? No, it works great until its time to transition to outdoors! And then they are covered, we have hawks outside but not in the house lol!

 

[NonnasBabies]

Cover this? Why would I cover it? No, it works great until its time to transition to outdoors! And then they are covered, we have hawks outside but not in the house lol!

You don't have problems with them getting out?? I tried this before and they were getting out of there after a week!!

 

[lazy gardener]

Sounds like chicks are being overheated. And overcrowded. By 2 - 3 weeks of age, chicks should have a minimum of 2 s.f./bird. And by the time they are 3 weeks old, if in the house, they should be completely weaned off heat. The brooder should have a warm foot print of space, and the rest of the brooder should be at ambient outdoor or room temp. If brooding in the house, they should NOT have a heat lamp (standard 250W). That is way too much heat. Combine that with a plastic tote, and you have an easy bake oven. There is no way for the chicks to move away from the heat enough to cool down, and it slowly kills them.

Electrolytes should be a one time use. Using them all the time messes up their electrolytes. It would be like you drinking NOTHING but gatorade day after day.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Can you take pictures of your setup so we can better visualize what you have going on?

You said "heat lamp on"...are you heating all those totes with just one heat lamp? Do you have thermometers in each tote to measure the hottest spots in them? What are your hottest temps? Are the chicks getting lethargic?

Yes. I do use shavings from TSC.

There is nothing wrong with using shaving of pine from TSC- keep them clean and dry.
All brooders must have a cool end and a warm end.
All brooders must have a thermometer at chick level so the heat can be adjusted accordingly. 90*F is plenty warm.. anything over that is dangerous. If they become over heated, they will congregate on the cool end of the brooder.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Sounds like chicks are being overheated. And overcrowded. By 2 - 3 weeks of age, chicks should have a minimum of 2 s.f./bird. And by the time they are 3 weeks old, if in the house, they should be completely weaned off heat. The brooder should have a warm foot print of space, and the rest of the brooder should be at ambient outdoor or room temp. If brooding in the house, they should NOT have a heat lamp (standard 250W). That is way too much heat. Combine that with a plastic tote, and you have an easy bake oven. There is no way for the chicks to move away from the heat enough to cool down, and it slowly kills them.

Electrolytes should be a one time use. Using them all the time messes up their electrolytes. It would be like you drinking NOTHING but gatorade day after day.

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi Terri, so sorry you are having so much trouble. I agree with the above posters that totes can be very difficult to manage, as they are often too confining to allow both warm and cool areas. And I would never suggest keeping one more than partially covered with anything solid, unless the air temps were very cold and drafts were a concern, which does not sound like a problem. It is very hard to manage chicks by turning hear lamps on and off, the temperatures tend to fluctuate too much. It's better to provide warmer and cooler areas, so the chicks can move around to please themselves. Personally I love my brooder plate.

Some light bulbs have a coating that makes them "shatter reststant". This coating is often present on regular bulbs, and sometimes on heat lamp bulbs. The fumes this coating produces is toxic to birds, just like the fumes from hot nonstick pans will kill birds. You need to read the label carefully.

Packaged pine bedding shavings are safe for chicks.

Check your feed to make sure it is not moldy.

Hope you solve the mystery soon.