Just got my baby chicks and need some help.

[GreenSpirit Hydro]

A few more have died. It seems to be mostly one type of chicken that is struggling. Its either the red stars or rhode island reds (cant tell the difference), but of all that have died it seems to pretty much all of one species.

 

[birdbrain2]

i just had the same problem with dieing chicks from mail order. my heat lamp was way too hot and i thought they would move away, but some were too week to move and maybe got overheated and died. my survivors are now doing good still at 95 and can move around enough to regulate their own body temps.

 

[farmergal]

When it comes to temps, the best piece of advice I ever received is to watch the chicks. Their body language will tell you whether the temp is right or not. If they're huddling together, piling on each other, it's too cold. If they're trying to get away from the heat lamp, it's too hot.

You might try a bit of yogurt, too, that can act as a pick-me-up especially for chicks that have just gone through the stress of shipping. If they don't eat the yogurt by itself sprinkle a little feed on top of it and before you know it they'll be pigging out.

Good luck with your survivors! Sorry for your loss.

 

[eggzettera]

Have you read the sticky at the top of this forum? https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=39604
Just asking cause sometimes people miss it...

 

[cmom]

The main thing is Temperature. For the first week 95 degrees and reduce it 5 degrees each week. When they are babies. the bright light doesn't seem to bother them, they eat, drink and sleep whenever. I put a wireless digital thermometer in the brooder so I could monitor the temp. I kept my brooder in the barn and on really cold nights I covered it to keep the warmth in. Also Plenty of feed and water.

 

[warhorse]

Quote:
Breeds. They are all the same species, different breeds. I had this happen once with a hatchery order. All of one breed laid down and died 24-48 hours after arriving and all the others were fine. I called the hatchery and got a "credit" for what that's worth. Sorry about your losses. As much fun as babies are, it sure sucks when they die.

 

[GreenSpirit Hydro]

We came into work this morning (were we keep the chicks) and 3 more had died through the night. Looks like they had gotten trampled pretty good as well. So we started yesterday w/ 20 and now we are down to 12. We really only want 6-8 chickens for ourselves, but I was hoping to keep all healthy and give the rest away. However, it seems to be all of one species dying which I think is kind of suspect. We have a digital thermometer in the brooder so we are keeping temps in check. I guess only time will tell.

 

[willheveland]

Can you say where they came from? Will

 

[GreenSpirit Hydro]

I got my chicks from McMurray. Down to 11 babies, but they all super vibrant. Keeping my fingers crossed. Some have poo on the back of their feathers. Is this a sign of "pasting"?

 

[CANDLE98]

It is only pasting if it is stuck to their butt not the back of them. I had one white chick that would always get pooped on. I am not sure if she was just retarded or what!