HELP - Meat birds trampling each other

[seramas]

At four week it is still important to maintain a temperature of at least 70F night time. I would hang the heat lamps in the center of the coop add on. Lay a thermometer at the same height as their backs are when they are standing. Then adjust the heights of the heat lamps for the 70F temp. One or two heat lamps will probably do it for 20 birds. Check coop temperatures often to be sure that the heat lamps are not make the whole coop too warm.

For cocci problem the best action is a Corid as suggested.

You can try probiotics (Activia or Acidophilus both available at most stores) with some success after an out break, but it best works as a preventive measure before the fact. The probiotics (good bacteria) will colonize the intestines and such best when the chick is a new hatch. Once they have built up to saturation levels they prevent may intestinal diseases from achieving population levels that do harm to the bird.

This is a good link. For more information about probiotics use in poultry Google "probiotics for poultry" read the post from University and government sights. They are the ones that are not selling anything and have a non-bias view point.

http://www.agclassroom.org/teen/ars_pdf/biology/2004/01probiotics.pdf

 

[al6517]

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Sorry to hear of your misfortune really, It just sounded from your post that they kept were inside your home, once again no harm intended, hope you get things worked out with your birds.

 

[raroo]

I don't think meat birds need the temp at 70 at four weeks. A thermometer isn't really necessary, you can judge what temp they need by watching their behavior. Right now they are trying to get away from the heat lamp so it is too warm. I think at four weeks they don't need a lamp at all but would be fine with the outdoor temp (unless its freezing.)
Meat birds get too hot easily anyway and like it cool.

 

[seramas]

Raroo is right, they don't need that temperature.

That is the optimum night time temperature for weight gain. When temps especially at night drop below 60F feed/weight gain ratios changes considerably.

But Raroo is right they do prefer cooler temperatures.

 

[jaku]

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Sorry, I don't think anyone meant any harm... I certainly didn't. But, to be fair, the fact that you had them inside may have been part of the reason you're having piling issues, which is what you asked about. Again, sorry if it seemed like you were getting ganged up on, it's just that in the meat bird section, most people see chickens as farm animals, not pets, and knowing how dirty they are, don't want people to make the mistake of trying to keep them inside. Please don't be offended, and please don't go elsewhere for info... there's a lot of good info to be found in this section, and a lot of good people!

 

[bigredfeather]

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I too apologize for the
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statement. I wasn't aware of your situation, so please accept my apology. I shouldn't have replied with that not knowing why they were in the house. I'm so sorry about your Father.

If you have started the ACV and/or Corrid, that may help. Just because you suspect cocci, doesn't mean they are goners. I have seen bloody stool several times in my Cornishes, but have never lost one because of it.

Please keep us posted.

 

[Kansas Chicken Mama]

Sorry guys, I overreacted a bit. I suppose I'm a just a little stressed, I usually don't fly off the handle like that

I really do appreciate the help, I'm just upset about the losses. I've never lost this many birds and was very worried for my others. They are very well separated and I'm comfortable in their safety now. The cornishs do look better today and are much more active. They are eating and drinking more than they have been so I'm hopeful that things are turning around. Thanks for letting me know that the bloody stool doesn't mean the end for them, luckily I haven't seen anymore. I KNOW that this is a wonderful site and a wealth of knowledge just breathes here. I have learned everything I know about my "pets" here and really the 39 of them are beautiful healthy birds because of the awesome people here, now I just need to get the meaties there also. Keep up the good work and thanks for being patient with the neurotic chicken mama in Kansas.

 

[bigredfeather]

Glad to hear that you and your meaties are doing better. Don't get too discouraged about losses from your first attempt. Meaties can be a tricky type chicken to raise. They require more finnese than other breeds. The losses will result in a more successful attempt next time, as most people learn from their expiriences. Please don't judge Cornishes on this expirience. A lot of people have trouble the first time, but with each batch, they get easier AND MUCH LESS STRESSFUL! It will all be worth it when you take your first bite of your delicious home grown chicken.

 

[al6517]

Good to see you doing better and also the birds, The thought of Raising your own meat birds seems rewarding but they are/can really be a pain because they take radicaly different management technics. Good luck with them.

AL

 

[patandchickens]

Two other thoughts (since now you've got the temperature sorted out, hopefully):

-- how many feeders (or how much length of trough feeder) do you have.

-- DO NOT worry about your pets getting coccidia from the chickens. Chickens have totally different species of coccidia than other animals do, and they are NOT cross-infective. So that is one less thing to stress about

Good luck, have fun,

Pat