I have lost 3 out of 9 baby chicks. Wondering what I am doing wrong?

southernnewbie · Jul 16, 2011

I bought 9 baby chicks from a local seller. 3 have died in less than two weeks. I had 2 Marans, 4 silkies (bantam), and 3 D'uccles (bantam). Two of the D'uccles have died and one of the silkies. One of the D'uccles, Digger, was the first to die; I think was 'pasted up.' Had runny bowels and clogged vent, I cleaned with a wet cloth and he died in the night. The second D'uccle, Happy, never grew, when she died a few days ago (less than 2 wks old) she was half the size of the other chickens. She also kept stretching her neck like she was choking and would get pushed around/even walked on by the other chicks. The silkie Smokie that died yesterday was the smallest silkie, but had been eating/drinking well, holding her own with the other chicks and seemed to be fine until two days ago. I didn't notice any difference in the poo of the second two except that Smokie did have white in her poo, while all the other chicks are pooping brown. I have them eating medicated starter feed, change their water frequently (but they do poop in it), give them fresh feed daily, change their bedding (pine shavings) every 2 or 3 days. They are in an indoor laundry room in a 2X5 rubbermaid (could they have just been overcrowded?) with a light, started their temp at 95 and have it around 90 currently. The remaining chicks seem healthy, I have one that is a little smaller than the others but again seems to be holding her own. I have one chick that was a few days older than the others when I got them, he was dirty from another brooder he was in and has had diarrhea since he arrived, but is growing fine.

Could they have worms? Is it safe for my kids to hold them?

Thank you for your time and advice!

Katy · Jul 16, 2011

They could be too hot. I don't know where you're located, but 90 degrees on chicks that are 2 weeks old is likely too hot down in a rubbermaid container.

seminolewind · Jul 16, 2011

They are too young to have a worm problem. It may be too warm for them. Watch them-do they sleep away from the heat lamp or right underneath it? I usually put the heat lamp to one end so I can tell if it's too hot.

southernnewbie · Jul 18, 2011

Thank you for the advice! Sorry to hear that I killed my chickens with my ignorance... Poor little guys.

tazcat70 · Jul 18, 2011

It is so hot here that even my youngest chicks don't have a heat lamp. If they are cool they get into a pile, but I haven't seen many piles.

CammieSilkie · Jul 18, 2011

hmm... maybe it's where you bought them from. I bought my original 8 from mypetchicken.com, all grew up perfectly fine, except one of them, nugget, who was born not all 'there' in the head, but that's a different story. Every batch of chicks I have i raise from my own flock, and I have never ever had one chick get sick or die. Maybe its the feed? if you bought them vaccinated, give them organic feed. if they weren't vaccinated, medicated is the way to go. Another thing, make sure they'll eat it with ease. but if they refuse completely the water and food, leave them be. they could be eating and drinking on their own. it could also be too hot. never rely on the temperature itself, rely on the chick's actions. They they all sleep away from the light, and away from each other, they're hot. cool it down a little. if they sleep clumped together for warmth directly under the lamp, they're cold. your chicks could be overheating and dying at a constant 90 degrees! they have fur-like baby feathers, too!

Log in / Register

Forums

I have lost 3 out of 9 baby chicks. Wondering what I am doing wrong?

southernnewbie New Egg

Katy Flock Mistress

seminolewind Flock Mistress Premium Member

southernnewbie New Egg

tazcat70 I must be crazy!

CammieSilkie Out Of The Brooder

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by