First time chick owner panic!

[HEChicken]

A thought on the waterer. I taught mine to drink out of a rabbit waterer and that works great - no spills and no poop in the water either. It doesn't take long to teach, but I found I needed to teach each of them individually so with 51 it may take awhile

To teach them, take the chick in one hand and the waterer in the other. Dip the chicks beak in the waterer, pushing the bill against the metal ball. Water will drop down and into the chick's beak (you'll know this has happened when they remove their head and tip it back to drink). Repeat several times so they know this is the way to get water. Repeat with the next chick and so on. Once I had given each of mine a lesson, I found they had no problem with returning to the waterer whenever they were thirsty. I still have a rabbit waterer available to them at all times, in addition to shallow bowls of water and have several that seem to prefer this method of drinking.

 

[Whirlwind]

Quote:
I would give them starter feed 24/7 unless they are broiler chicks. They will over eat. Did you say what kind of chickens that you got?? Don't think the bugs will hurt them. I know I fed mine scratch with bugs in it. How old is your feed? Someone else may have an answer about the bugs. No one else has mentioned it but we love chick pics if you are able to load some.

 

[muzzles&nuzzles]

You must have a pretty big tote for 51 little chicks.

If it is big a 100 watt bulb may be ok. If the tote isn't huge it might get too hot. I usually use a 90 watt though. I cover the top with screen. Depending on the temp you can raise and lower the light (as someone suggested.) You also can cover some of the screen with tinfoil. Just make sure they can get enough O2. LOL
That many chicks probably keep each other warm.

Watch them closely and do seperate the slower ones out. (again, as was suggested) The slower ones can get run over and hurt and sometimes a few might just need some extra attention and more space so they can catch up. We call it the ICU here. I am an RN so I tell the kids "This chick has to go to the baby chicken ICU". The ICU is a tote in the bathroom so I can keep a close eye on the slower ones. My hubby is so great. He holds them so I can tape legs for splay leg and he remembers to close the bathroom door and he will come and get me if one looks bad.

Good luck and please post some pics if you have time.

 

[jessierose]

I have 2 enormous totes! My son calls them the plastic coffins. Hopefully no deaths in these, though! Silly child!

I got the brooders all set up and everyone settled in and warm when it started pouring rain and I realized there was a leak in the ceiling exactly over where the chicks were! Figures!!! So, after some creative relocation everyone seems settled down again outside my laundry room in the garage.
I will take pictures and post tonight. The variety of color and markings is so cool! I got 25 black sex-links and 25 brown laying variety from Murray McMurray. Aside from their commercial layers I am told these are my two best bets for good layers. Here's hoping!

Pics to come, I promise! Thanks for all the wisdom and encouragement!

 

[30chicks]

HI we are new parents too. Our baby red stars arrived this morning 10 out of 30 are already dead

Some are very active some are sleepy and others look very questionable. the brooder is at 90 dipped everyone's beak in water. HELP HELP HELP

 

[RAWR]

sounds like your doing things right to me :]

 

[RAWR]

Quote:
oh snap
im sorry about the 10
and idk...watch the questionable ones closely

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Uh oh, were the ten DOA? If so, contact the hatchery for replacement/refund. As far as the others- put some sugar in the water and get them all to take a drink. Make sure they aren't too hot or too cold- the first week should be about 95 degrees, but have a cooler area for them as well.
Are they eating? How long was the shipping time?

Sometimes it helps to give them Poly-Vi-Sol Infant Vitamins. Be sure to get the ones
without iron.


Welcome to BYC, wish it were better circumstances for you. In the future, please start your own thread for your question - you almost got lost in someone else's thread.

Good luck!

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Sounds like you are doing all the right things and you've gotten some great advice!

x 51

What is a "bug towel? Does it have pesticide in it or is it just a physical barrier? I've never heard of it, but if it works I want to wrap my property in it!

 

[jessierose]

Ha! Very funny. Sorry, that's BIG towel. Wish there was such a thing as a bug towel! Lord knows I could stand some relief from mosquitos!
My 51 are all looking perky and sweet today. I can't believe how precious they are! Unfortunately, the are too busy to get anything but blurred pics of. Still trying!