Chicks dropping like flies

[cherieangelle]

I literally spent over $400 on hatching eggs, have hatched over 50 eggs from different breeders & now the chicks are randomly starting to die. I’ve never had this many chicks die.
I checked my heat lamp to make sure it wasn’t teflon coated but swapped it out for a brooder plate just in case.
I’m very worried abt them. I plan to move them outside today to a new brooder & hopefully that will fix any issues. I’ve given them poultry cell, egg yolks, mashed non medicated Kalmbach 20% organic grower starter.
Now two of them have one closed eye & they’ve never been outside. HELP. I’ve been chicken tendering for over a year now & have never had this happen.

 

[aart]

How old are these chicks?
How big of a plate do you have to cover 50 chicks?
So you've raised chicks you've hatched in the same brooder before?

 

[cherieangelle]

How old are these chicks?
How big of a plate do you have to cover 50 chicks?
So you've raised chicks you've hatched in the same brooder before?

Well I didn’t have 50 chicks hatch. I had about 3-5 chicks from each breeder so I have about 20 in the brooder. & yes. Same bin I always use. I use paper towels as bedding & have never had any issues like I’m having now.

 

[my spoiled chickens]

What breed of chicks are they? I know sometimes bantams can die if they don't have enough electrolytes when they are shipped and I know you hatched them out yourself. Are you using medicated chick feed? Since they don't have a broody hen on them they wont have the imunity since mama isn't building it up,also make sure ur not using oyster shell/laying pellets

 

[cherieangelle]

What breed of chicks are they? I know sometimes bantams can die if they don't have enough electrolytes when they are shipped and I know you hatched them out yourself. Are you using medicated chick feed? Since they don't have a broody hen on them they wont have the imunity since mama isn't building it up,also make sure ur not using oyster shell/laying pellets

Silkies. I use Kalmbach 20% organic starter. & have been for a while. Never had issues with the feed. I’ve given everything I can think to give. I just chalked it up to failure to thrive but lost 3 more this morning. I don’t understand what’s happening

 

[Stravager]

What does their poop look like? Any signs of blood? Or are they just falling over dead one day with no signs?

 

[my spoiled chickens]

@Debbie292d you've dealt with hatching silkies before

 

[cherieangelle]

What does their poop look like? Any signs of blood? Or are they just falling over dead one day with no signs?

I don’t see any blood. I treated for cocci & still had them dropping. They’re literally golden & then I check on them & one is passing randomly. I had a new heat lamp in there, I took it out & put a brooder plate standing up so they don’t lay on top of each other or get stuck under it. I haven’t lost any since I took the heat lamp out.

 

[my spoiled chickens]

try giving them Poultry cell

 

[gimmie birdies]

Are they on wood chips? I am not a fan because some times they will eat the wood and die. Before they die, the stand with their eyes closed, and head sagging, if they eat wood.