Chicks dropping like flies

[Terri E]

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?

Unfortunately I don't have a thermometer anymore. Found out my husband have it out. No, they don't look lethargic.

 

[Terri E]

This is what is on the lid for the totes. Totes are long, enough room. They all range from sizes. H however, this picture was saved in this site, that I pulled to show.

Bedding, I use the recommended from TSC. However replaced it with pair towels as suggested.

I haven't found any more chicks died during the night. I rearranged so that heat is dispersed equally.
That was my problem. It wasn't reaching the other chicks.
Heat lamps - I have two. I just purchased another.

Imagine if you can. Again a partisan wall, against it is 3 totes and a large dog cage containing chicks. The heat lamps are even out to heat 2 each. Since they are oon the ground, the lamps are high as a kitchen counter. Except that time , needed to have them, the chicks, together not apart.

Thanks everyone for your insights. Is much helpful and especially the bedding substitution along with the heat lamp information. The gas fumes, I didn't know of.

 

[1muttsfan]

Have you checked the wattage on your bulbs?

You actually do not need a thermometer to tell if your temps are correct.
If the brooder is too hot, the chicks will move as far as possible from the heat source, sometimes wedging themselves into the far corners.
If the brooder is too cold, the chicks will huddle together, peeping pathetically, eventually becoming lethargic.
If there is a proper temperature gradient the chicks will spread themselves around fairly evenly, neither avoiding nor clustering under the heat source.
A thermometer would be a very good idea, though

 

[centrarchid]

Picture of sick chicks?

 

[Mduggar]

Do you have electrolyte water?

 

[cmom]

Maybe they are being over heated. Since you don't have a thermometer you can't know. I have a 40 watt incandescent bulbs in mine.

When I took this picture the chicks weren't overly curious.

 

[Terri E]

I do have electrolyte water, and been giving it to them. As a measure. I don't know the watt of the heat lamp. Used the recommended for the Brooder heat lamp.

I can determine it was a temp. Issue. Since corrected. The only chicks I found dead was 3 but they were hatched from mama and started with her. Thinking to taking away the other so they can survive without being trampled by mama.

NO more died inside.
Did have one chick hatch just now from the incubator.

 

[Terri E]

Maybe they are being over heated. Since you don't have a thermometer you can't know. I have a 40 watt incandescent bulbs in mine.
View attachment 1439727 When I took this picture the chicks weren't overly curious.View attachment 1439738

I would love to know how you have this set up. This is exactly what I was looking for!
Can you send me what you used and how it's put together? It would be most appreciated!

 

[cmom]

Years ago a friend gave me some shelves and I modified them to use as a brooder. Prior I used styrofoam coolers that I put a lamp kit in with a 15 watt light bulb as a heat source and would put the lid on partially.

 

[1muttsfan]

That picture shows just the distribution you are looking for when the temp is just right, with the chicks spread evenly out.