Losing babies to huddling/trampling?!

[mandymcg05]

I know there has been an issue before but I can’t figure out why these babes are huddling like they are. Ages are between 2-3 weeks old. Temp is between 85-90 in our insulated garage. Area may have been to small before but I’ve since moved them all to a larger area. I lost 2 fairly bigger chicks to what I’m assuming to be the huddling/trampling. But why are they still on top of each other?! I’m worried about my littles. I’ve had them since 2-4ish days old and to lose them like this is weird to me??

 

[sourland]

Use something to 'round off' the corners. Generally it's the chicks that get pushed into the corner that get crushed/killed.

 

[mandymcg05]

Use something to 'round off' the corners. Generally it's the chicks that get pushed into the corner that get crushed/killed.

That would make sense. But they aren’t even in a corner in this pin. I’m hoping moving them to a larger one helps. They all survived the night. Should I put the heat lamp back on them? Or keep it off? It’s supposed to get in the 100’s this weekend.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't know why you lost those two. Trampling doesn't make sense to me. Trampling usually comes when you have a lot of chicks and something frightens them. They panic and pile up as far away from whatever scared them as they can get. It can happen against a wall but getting trapped in a corner is more dangerous. Besides, it was two of your largest. Usually the smaller ones are more at risk.

When they are being raised by a broody hen they sleep in a group under her. In a brooder without a broody hen they still sleep in a bunch, I think they just like the company. It does not mean they are cold.

What is your forecast low at night, not your high during the day? That's what will be important. I think the best brooders are those that keep one spot warm enough in the coolest temperatures and a spot cool enough in the warmest temperatures. I don't know what that area looks like but I'd want the far end to be ambient if you provide any heat. I'd provide no heat during the day and I'd use a low wattage bulb at night if any.

During a heat wave a few years back I stopped daytime heat at 2 days and nighttime heat at 5 days. They didn't need any heat.

 

[samanthaoverton]

Odd suggestion...are there any rodents around possibly? That would scare them and make them trample each other. Just an odd suggestion. They're in the garage..rodents are insidious and maybe they're near or within sight of said chicks..

 

[mandymcg05]

Odd suggestion...are there any rodents around possibly? That would scare them and make them trample each other. Just an odd suggestion. They're in the garage..rodents are insidious and maybe they're near or within sight of said chicks..

Actually my two cats stay in the garage but they leave them alone. We’ve raised chickens around them the past two years so they are pretty chill. But it is possible that they got super spooked.

@Ridgerunner I believe my low for the next few days is 70 but it’ll be a little warmer in the garage I’m thinking.

 

[Ridgerunner]

At their age I would not supply any heat at night.

 

[mandymcg05]

At their age I would not supply any heat at night.

Ok. Hopefully this is the last of it. I’ll kick my cats out at night just to make sure they aren’t playing around in there and scaring them.