Help! Losing new chicks

DucklingMama3

Chirping
May 4, 2023
29
50
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I recently got 10 deathlayers and they were supposed to be a week old. They looked a little small, but were running around and looked healthy. We brought them home Sunday around 1:30pm. This morning, my husband found 2 dead. About an hour ago, I watched another die. They are separate from the other chicks we are raising. We have several other breeds, some are 14 days old and some are 7 days old. None have died. All are being cared for the same. Deathlayers were not mixed in with existing chicks. On wood chips, water, crumble for feed (one I use all the time) and heat lamp. All inside. What could be going on with these, especially if they are over a week old?? Looking for suggestions so I don’t lose more! I have moved the remaining healthy ones into a completely cleaned container … hoping it helps … it’s so sad watching them die in your hand.
 
Since you've already got experience with this, I'll forgo the questions about your setup, but wondering if it could be the place you got them?

I would try give them electrolytes and raw egg yolk which is what I've done for weaker looking chicks and that usually perks them back up.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. Frustrating! :hugs
 
Hello Duckling mama3, I'm so very sorry for your losses.
But there could me MANY reasons your chicks might be dieing off, from being too stressed to just simple previous complications that are simply not your fault which were caused before you had gotten them.
Even with one of my own baby chicks had past right in front of me, and she looked bright, yet I tried two different electrolytes, changed out their water every morning and throughout the day along with fresh food following a clean brooder.
So I have a few questions to see if there's anything you can do.
Starting with is your brooder too small maybe?
This could lead chicks to stress and overcrowding.
Second, how high or close is your heating lamp, because personally I use a heating plate to not worry about the heat intensity.
And my last thing is are you mixing older and younger chicks with a bigger age gap with this batch your struggling with?
I just wanted to double check since i was a bit confused from what yiu were saying seperating differenr chicks.
In all, your probably doing the best yiu can for these little ones, but especially during the first week of these babies lives are very crucial because the first four weeks of raising baby chicks is the most common for losses, so it's gonna happen which is totally normal.
I hope this helps!!
 

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