lost 2 chicks in past 3-4 days

[jdopler]

MOst of the 28 babies seem very healthy and active even this last one I lost today was fine just last night. They seem to have some type of paralysis and just lay on their right side and won't move.. any ideas what this is and what can I do to make sure I don't lose any more? the first one made me very sad but now im paranoid that more will be dying.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

We need a little more information. What were they eating and drinking, what kind of bedding do you use, and where did you get them? Where they shipped/purchased from a feed store or did you hatch them yourself? Do they have a heat lamp?

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
How old are they?

More info needed, please.

Right off the bat I thought too hot, but without any info I can't say.

 

[jdopler]

they are a week and half old on pine shavings, getting medicated chick starter and water, shipped from ideal poultry recieved them all in very good health last friday july 23rd

 

[jdopler]

no heat lamp w/o ac my house stays around 76 all day and night i just use ceiling fans and occasionally the swamp cooler. try to block them from the draft of swamp cooler too.

 

[BackToMyRoots]

Someone should correct me if I'm wrong, but I think we're supposed to start them at 95 degrees the first week and then lower the temp by 5 degrees per week after that. After a week and a half, they should be at about ninety degrees, which would be quite a bit higher than 76. That might not be their only problem, but it could be stressing them out and making them more susceptible to any illness that's out there. Good wishes for you and your new flock!

 

[PamB]

I'm new, but I've also been told that they should start at 95 degrees the first week, and decrease by 5 degrees each week. 76 is definitely not warm enough for them right now.

 

[Dora'smom]

They are too cool, and need a heat lamp at this stage. You decrease the temperature by 5 degrees a week. They are too young to be in such a cool temperature, and if they are over a week old, the temperature in the brooder should be 90.

 

[turtlebird]

I hope the addition of a heat lamp (90-95 degrees, decreasing 5 degrees/week) stops any additional losses. I totally know what you mean about the paranoid thing

if you lose a few then it seems that you are checking them every 15 minutes. May as well set up a cot/sleeping bag outside the brooder! Good luck!