Losing chicks, help! UPDATE

[Elite Silkies]

I grind up the chicks feed, some say it doesn't matter, but I have had better luck doing that. Seems like they eat better.

I agree at 2 weeks they should be down to 90 degrees. I usually keep my chicks in a spare bator for the first week and a half. It's so much easier to keep the temps perfect and not over heat them or let them get too cold. It's a pain keeping it clean though. I take out the wire bottom and fill it with shavings, that makes it easier to clean.

 

[Shadowgrass]

I will agree with too much heat, (1) 100W is plenty. But, something isn't adding up here. What type of behavior are the other chicks displaying? What about the ones that were dying? Did they appear to be panting or moving away from the light? I just had a batch that seemed especially sensitive to the light, but by watching them they pretty much let you know. I had them in my backroom and the setting sun was hitting their brooder in addition to the light and they were all in there panting away. So I turned the light off and moved them away from the sun. However, they were just fine. It sounds maybe more like something is systematically killing your chicks. If were just too hot, I would think the other would be panting. I am just saying, seems fishy.

I would check their feed for any type of moisture problem before you got it, does it smell musty or moldy? What kind of water are you giving them, is it a high salt well water? Mine is, so I give mine Osmosis water. Have you called the store to see if anyone else called with similar problems? There are tons of problems, environmental, viral, bacterial that could be affecting your chicks. They are generally pretty tough from my experience, I don't think your are doing anything wrong that would be causing their death. I never use a thermometer to manage my chicks heat, I move it according to their behavior. Are they huddled under it, moving away from it, seem generally content, panting..etc. I don't think 5 degrees is what is killing them.

Are they somehow eating something other than chicken feed? You mentioned using chick grit. I have never used chick grit when they are on strictly starter crumbles. I never feed my chicks ANYTHING but theor crumbles until they are well started and then I introduce grit and let the free range, give scraps etc. That's just me though. I would remove the chicks from the brooder and clean it very well. Once it is clean, Lysol the heck out of it and wipe it out with clean paper towels. Let is air dry. Check the bedding you are using for mustiness as well.

Could be about anything. If it were me I would try an antibiotic (goes in their water) from the feed store (as a last resort). Also, take precautions to protect yourself as well. Be sure to wash your hands after handing the chicks, coop, brooder, etc. Can't rule out something like Salmonella. That is a silent, quick chick killer.

I am real sorry for your loss. Not a good first time experience. Not to make light or mean any disrespect, but you are experiencing the hardest part first, and you are gaining valuable experience. I hope that you figure out what is wrong, normally things go a lot more smoothly. Keep us posted and good luck.

 

[Dora'smom]

How are the remaining four acting? It is possible that they got heat-stressed initially, and being so small and fragile, were not able to rebound from that.
I believe that it is okay to feed medicated feed to chicks that have been vaccinated, as the usual vaccination is for Marek's, and the medicated feed contains amprolium, which is effective against cocci. Two different things.
I would watch the remaining four for a couple of days, and supplement their water with vitamins and electrolytes. If things go well, then you could add more chicks who are within that three week window. (You would also want to call the feed store to ascertain if other birds were sick and dying, too.)
You don't necessarily want to start antibiotics if you don't need them. We all play a part in the microbiology of drug resistance.