Crushed chicks

[geojane42]

Had a horrible surprise this morning when i went to feed the babies. There were 11 dead chicks on the floor. They had not been pecked but seem to have been trampled to death. When I checked on them again in the afternoon, there was another victim. They have plenty of room and it is definitely warm enough for them. They are 5 weeks old... all girls (sex links). I've never seen this happen before and I can't think of anything I can do to prevent it. Any insight into what might be going on?

 

[geebs]

too much heat. or Cocci

 

[tammyd57]

How many chicks altogether? And how many feeders & waterers do you have for them? I've had trampling happen when there weren't enough waterers or enough space at the feeders for everyone at once.

 

[geojane42]

It wasn't hot in there and I didn't see any evidence of cocci (man I hope that isn't it!). We had about 200 in a 10x8 space with 4 of the big plastic waterers and 6 or 7 feeders. Sold 25 on Saturday so now the numbers are down to about 163. I swapped out the plastic waterers for a giant galvanized one. No deaths yesterday, thank god. Just about to go check on them now so hopefully it was an isolated incident.

 

[tryingtohaveitall]

I've had some where the chicks die and then get trampled flat.

I hope your losses are over. So sorry about them!