This morning they were all fine. I've been checking and cleaning their vents. the temp is 99 degrees, they have food and fresh water daily. I came home to find my 6 day old barred rock on her back stiff as a board. No idea why. What do I do now. Should I be concerned about the rest. This stinks. I come home everyday looking forward to watching them, it's horrible to find one dead.
I'm really sorry. Sometimes, it just happens. I'd say, although it's probably not related, your brooder temp seems a bit high. Of course, your thermometer may be off a bit.
AS somebody already mentioned you temp is a bit high, i think you can turn it down to 90 now. You know your chick prob just ate a bit too much bedding. It happens. I had one die without reason to.
I'm so sorry about your chick. The first few days I had mine, I had my DH go up first and check to make sure they were all still alive. I now go up but I always wonder if all six will be up and moving around..so first thing, I count. Somehow, I'm not sure I'll ever stop counting.
The brooder is 4 ft x 1 1/2 feet, the thermometer is right under the light. There is plenty of room that's not as hot. They don't hudle anywhere or stay far away from the light. I hope I didn't do anything wrong. I thought for the first week it should be 95-100 degrees. Anyways thanks for the support. The rest seem fine still. and Deb I still count my 6 hens every time I go to the coup too.
I know how you feel. When I got home from work today, I found one of mine dead. They were all healthy this morning. Mine are almost two weeks old now and they love to run and jump, almost trying to fly. I think one of the bigger ones may have landed on it and could have possibly killed it? Don't blame yourself, I don't think you did anything wrong, with a brooder that size they can get far enough away from the heat.
