Help. What is wrong with my chicks?

[BluebirdHomestead]

Have to run out to do errands so I’ll respond to more posts in a bit.

 

[Kiki]

Yeah as “nice” as this brooder is supposed to be, I kind of hate it. It’s wire mesh bottom. Seems so uncomfortable for them. They can’t dust bath, they can’t scratch, the light stays on all the time, instead of falling through the mesh the poop just sticks to it....I think I might return it for my deposit (I’m renting it) and brood the next group in a kiddie pool with one of those heat plates they can go under. Thoughts?

I'd return it too.

You could out a box or two of dirt in it.
These cardboard ones from the grocery stores (holds cans) work great.

 

[Kiki]

Yeah as “nice” as this brooder is supposed to be, I kind of hate it. It’s wire mesh bottom. Seems so uncomfortable for them. They can’t dust bath, they can’t scratch, the light stays on all the time, instead of falling through the mesh the poop just sticks to it....I think I might return it for my deposit (I’m renting it) and brood the next group in a kiddie pool with one of those heat plates they can go under. Thoughts?

Your brooder might actually be a problem.
What if someone before you rented it and they left diseases in it.
Renting a brooder sounds insane to me.

 

[aart]

one of those heat plates they can go under. Thoughts?

The heat plates are the bomb, I DIY'd one because I'm handy and it was cheaper for the space it provided.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

Your brooder might actually be a problem.
What if someone before you rented it and they left diseases in it.
Renting a brooder sounds insane to me.

That's an interesting thought!

 

[BluebirdHomestead]

Your brooder might actually be a problem.
What if someone before you rented it and they left diseases in it.
Renting a brooder sounds insane to me.

I should say I rented it from the breeder...and yes good point. I have learned a lot haha. Love the idea for the box of dirt. I think I’ll definitely switch up my brooder set up and do a heat plate for group 2

 

[Kiki]

I'm not saying this to sound ugly so don't take it the wrong way.
The word breeder is used too loosely by many, not you...just in general.
I have seen "breeders" right here on BYC sell deathly ill chicks just to make a buck.

I would return the brooder today if I were you.

 

[Henanigan]

Thoughts?[/QUOTE]
Sounds very uncomfortable for baby chicks.

 

[ValerieJ]

You have a perfect setup to prove this point really, as far as I can see it's all indoors, so wild birds cannot assist, everything is clean and they have no parent, is this correct ? because it explains the lot.

You're asking advice of people who have outdoorsy flocks and so they'd never have seen this problem. It would be rare.

I have raised all my chicks indoors for 4 years and haven't had a single sick one. Are you joking about feeding them poo? I've never done that.

 

[ValerieJ]

Yeah as “nice” as this brooder is supposed to be, I kind of hate it. It’s wire mesh bottom. Seems so uncomfortable for them. They can’t dust bath, they can’t scratch, the light stays on all the time, instead of falling through the mesh the poop just sticks to it....I think I might return it for my deposit (I’m renting it) and brood the next group in a kiddie pool with one of those heat plates they can go under. Thoughts?

I agree with this plan!!!

 

[ValerieJ]

Your brooder might actually be a problem.
What if someone before you rented it and they left diseases in it.
Renting a brooder sounds insane to me.

Good point!!! That could be it!!!