Dying Chicks... now 3 (no 6) are dead. Whats going on?

[rainnotebook]

oI just got chicks on Thursday... last night one of them died. No clue how but it was one of my baby silkies. Well this morning another one is just laying there feet stretched out and dying. He is still alive, eyes open when I hold him but he just lays there. I feel so bad... I don't know what I should do. Put him out of his misery? Let nature take its course? I have 3 others that are very weak and look like they could be next. What's going on?

I actually think its my fault. I had the little itty bitty ones (the silkies and brahmas) with the other birds, baby turkeys and "packing peanuts" and when I looked at them today I saw they were being stepped on. So I separated them. But because there were so many and its warm in our house I didn't put a lamp on them, I was told I didn't need to. But I did separate them and put a lamp on them. Could this be the reason why I'm losing them?

It so sad because I think I'm going to lose 5 when its all said and done.

They were all fine yesterday... eating and drinking and running around. Its crazy how one day later or even a few hours they are dying.

 

[rainnotebook]

By the way their butts all look fine.... no pasty butt or anything like that.

 

[HennyJenny]

Try feeding him some cooked egg yolk or plain yogurt and see if you can slightly dip his beak in water and get him to drink. Also, I think I would get a lamp on them. They probably still need to be at 90 degrees or so. I have a lamp on mine today and it's 73 in the house. Good Luck!

Jenny

 

[seminolewind]

Are they really eating? Check the crop. Sometimes you have to grind the crumbles smaller.

 

[rainnotebook]

Last I saw they were eating... now they aren't doing anything. The feed was pretty fine but I just crushed some of the big chunks and only put the fine stuff in their feed.

I'm now losing a third one.

I don't get whats going on... what am I doing wrong?

 

[rainnotebook]

Just checked on them and I lost the two... now a forth one is down.

There is maybe one weakling that I'm keeping an eye on but the rest are running around strong and healthy. In fact they aren't by the light... so I don't think they were too cold.

A total of 3 chicks gone and one more on the way.

 

[Morgan7782]

I don't think you are doing anything wrong, I got 4 chicks, just in case one or two died or were roosters. I kept reading how dying or dead chicks is not uncommon, so if the rest are healthy and happy I would rest assured you are doing things right, but sometimes these things happen. Sorry for the losses

 

[rainnotebook]

Thanks. Thats good to know. Its so sad...

 

[AndreaS]

What do you have for bedding? They aren't on cedar chips are they?

 

[rainnotebook]

No just straw... straw is ok right?