Chicks dying!!! HELP!!!

[joneus]

They were fine half an hour ago and now are dropping dead. Symptoms are panting, drooped wings, chirping loudly, going limp and then passing. I've lost 3 in the last 10 mins with 2 following.

They're between 2 and 3 days old, were on play sand until they started eating it and are now on paper towels.

What happened??? Is there anything I can do to save the others!??

 

[elmo]

Panting? What temperature are you keeping them at? Do they have the ability to move away from the heat source if they're too hot?

 

[joneus]

Temp is at 95, they have plenty of room to move.

 

[Jay262]

I agree sounds like there to hot you might wanna raise your heat lamp and get the temp down. If you dont have a temometer raise it away a couple feet and if there still panting even more. If they start huddling togather there to cold.

 

[joneus]

Should I try to get them to drink something??

 

[Jay262]

Yes and add a little sugar to the water it helps them energy wise not alot maybe a teaspoon full to lets say a masonjar of water idk how big your water is.

 

[ChicknThief]

Sounds like dehydration caused by over-heating. Are you sure that your themometer is working properly? I always used 3-4 thermometers just to be sure. Dip each of their beaks in sugar water. Hopefully you can save the rest

I'm so sorry

 

[joneus]

Quote:
That's the conclusion I came to. There was one that wasnt as bad off as the rest, so I worked on him first with an eye dropper and a 50/50 mix of water and orange juice. Within 10 mins or so he was responsive and squirming when I picked him up. I wasn't able to save the other two, but the remaining 5 are doing fine.

I suspect there is an issue with the thermometer be ause they seem perfectly comfortable with 81 degrees. I've added "Save-A-Chick" to their water and will keep them on that and wet mash for the next couple of days just to cover the bases- does that sound like a good plan?

This has been a horrifying experience, to say the least. I just hope I've got it under control now!

 

[ChicknThief]

Quote:
That's the conclusion I came to. There was one that wasnt as bad off as the rest, so I worked on him first with an eye dropper and a 50/50 mix of water and orange juice. Within 10 mins or so he was responsive and squirming when I picked him up. I wasn't able to save the other two, but the remaining 5 are doing fine.

I suspect there is an issue with the thermometer be ause they seem perfectly comfortable with 81 degrees. I've added "Save-A-Chick" to their water and will keep them on that and wet mash for the next couple of days just to cover the bases- does that sound like a good plan?

This has been a horrifying experience, to say the least. I just hope I've got it under control now!

That sounds like a great plan. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. We all have to learn. In fact, that exact scenario is how I learned to keep more than one thermometer. Another supplement I would add is PolyViSol. It is a brand of baby vitamin. I have used it with great success with both chicks and adult birds.