how do you know if there is something wrong with the chicks?

[pattgal]

this is my first flock of chicks, (can you tell haha)
anyway, ive been nervous since we got them because everytime they fall asleep they appear to be dead. at first they looked relaxed in their breathing, just the one big breath every couple of seconds, but now they almost look like they are panting.
they are 4 days old,
they are not too far from under the light but not hiding in corners either(is it possible they are getting hot?)
their bedding is wood chips
that's all i can think of to say about it

 

[bantybev]

Sounds like they are too hot, if panting. Do you have a thermometer under the light? They are inexpensive and I would pick one up asap. Is your brooder big enough that they can get out of the heat, if they want? What size heat lamp are you using?
Chicks fall asleep in the funniest way sometimes. They can even fall asleep in their water and drown. A lot of people put marbles in the water for that reason.

 

[pattgal]

ok well the heat was at 100 (im just using the kitchen thermometer) I raised the light a bit so now its at 95
my brooder is an old dresser we tipped over and took the drawers out. i have 20 meat kings in it now and im expecting 10 EE at the end of the month
its big enough for now but it wont last long

 

[pattgal]

the temperature has been regulated to 95 for a few hours now and still panting, is it possible its still too hot for them?

 

[95yj]

don't live by temp and thermometers, go by what the chicks tell you. If their huddling under the lights more heat, hiding in the shady corners less heat. you'll get the hang of it after a little while.

 

[fastpat]

Proper temp for day old chicks is between 90-95º (for the first week) and free of drafts. Day-olds need 1/2 sq. ft. of space, each, which has to grow to about 1 sq. ft. by the time they're 4-6 weeks old. My 27 are in a spare bathroom which I subdivided into a 21-22 sq. ft. brooder. Now that they're almost 4 weeks old, they've expanded their space by fly-jumping to the top of the cardboard divider and then fly-jumping down to the floor. There's nothing there for them to eat, but they just want to scratch around anyway and can't seem to not know what's on the other side of the "fence".