Do chicks need electrolytes, vitamins, probiotics?

[BunsNChicks]

I got my chicks on Saturday...they were probably 2 or 3 days old once I got them, on Sunday one of the chicks died. I have them at around 100 degrees in a draft free aquarium and they are fed medicated feed and of course get water.... my question is...am I doing everything right or should I add probios to the water and should I be adding some electrolyte/vitamins to water as well? I have no idea whether they were vaccinated or not

 

[ralleia]

Oh my gosh--100 degrees in a draft-free aquarium sounds dangerous. First off, I've heard 95 degrees is the recommended initial temp, and my brooder setup was NEVER 95 degrees, nor was my brooder totally free of drafts.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

These were shipped to you?

When I get shipped chicks I will add some vitamins & electrolytes to the water for the first couple days.

 

[BunsNChicks]

Yeah I was thinking about the lack of ventilation, I got these ones at a feedstore
ETA- feed store owner said 100 so that's what we put it at, originally we were going to put them in a guinea pig cage but she said it would be too drafty

 

[ralleia]

Cool your brooder arrangement down a bit, and allow more ventilation. You'll want to allow some variability in the temperature of your arrangement, meaning that the area near your warming lamp can be warm (say, 90 degrees), and the area farther away a bit cooler.

If the chicks huddle near the lamp, then you know that they are a bit too cool. If they try to stay away from it, then they're too hot. If they run around being like chicks, then they're just fine!

The variability in temperature will allow to get clues from observing the chicks. I've never needed to provide them anything but chick feed and clean water.

 

[maizey]

Yes, you need to reduce the heat down to 95 at leas and minus another 5 degrees every week until about 75 is reached. Take the temp in the aquarium, it would act like a green house and really hold the heat so you really need a thermometer. I used an aquarium thermometer. I didn't leave it in permanently...just long enough to get an accurate reading down at chick level. Unless they were shipped, they don't really need anything besides food and water...and you want to make sure they are actually eating and drinking properly

 

[Judy]

I'd put them in the guinea cage where they can get fresh air and get the heat down to 90 or less. If they are indoors, no way is it too drafty. If outside, they may need a solid wind and barrier on one or two sides.

 

[BunsNChicks]

Ok yeah I did put a thermometer in there got an extra one with my incubator. I saw on another thread that someone used a regular chicken hutch with their week olds...was thinking of getting one and using the same method as she did, heat lamp and covering it with a blanket at night, I am in Cali and it gets down to about 47 at night here. Thoughts?

 

[schellie69]

First hi from Salina Kansas. I have my chicks outside in a coop inside my brood which is just a plastic tub. They have been staying warm in just that without the heat lamp If you have them inside the house they should be fine. I have mine outside due to my son's puppy. But they are in an enclosed coop as long as the temp doesn't get below 70 degrees in the brooder they should be fine. Good luck and enjoy your new babies.

 

[ralleia]

Quote:
So are you keeping the chicks and the brooder arrangement indoors or outdoors?