Lost everything not sure how or why

[GambleFamilyHomestead]

How young were they? And How cold is it where you are?

 

[Newchickenguy84]

How young were they? And How cold is it where you are?

They were 3 weeks old. During the day has been 80 nights at 65.

 

[bobbi-j]

Is it possible a weasel could have gotten in? They will kill, leaving almost no sign. One time I found a bunch of dead 6-week old chicks in my coop, each with tiny, little bite marks under their wings. It was a weasel. They can get in through the smallest of spaces.

 

[Newchickenguy84]

Is it possible a weasel could have gotten in? They will kill, leaving almost no sign. One time I found a bunch of dead 6-week old chicks in my coop, each with tiny, little bite marks under their wings. It was a weasel. They can get in through the smallest of spaces.

That or a snake maybe

 

[WhoDatChick]

They were 3 weeks old. During the day has been 80 nights at 65.

It sounds like they were probably too hot.. at three weeks and 80 out.. I don’t think they should be in a closed container with a heat light.. even with vent holes.. they were piled up probably trying to get away from the heat ... my less than week olds are in an open but secure cage and I keep the heat light pretty far back.. it’s been 85 during the day and 65-70 at night... sometimes during the day I turn off the heat. I don’t think they need it but I think they like it. They don’t ever cry when it’s off but they will enjoy it when it’s on...
So very sorry this happened... it is so sad.

 

[WhoDatChick]

Plus, you had a lot of them in there.. they probably could have gotten by with each other’s body heat.. I only have three..

 

[blackdog043]

The brooder did not have any doors to the outside beside the big one for me. No windows either just Vent holes up top.

Can you post a picture of your brooder?
How big are your vent holes and do you have hardware cloth covering them?

 

[debid]

Heat lamp on an 80 degree day with just vent holes up top? I'd expect they roasted.

I use a heating pad hen in my outdoor brooder so it doesn't overheat the space. At 3 weeks, they'd only use it at night or on overcast, wet days. The pop door (to the run) stays open.

When I used a lamp, I had to unplug it on sunny days and plug it back in at dusk. And I used a 100W bulb aimed into a corner. Otherwise, it was too hot in a hurry.

Unfortunately, it's very easy to accidentally make an oven.

 

[Cyprus]

I agree it sounds like they overheated. It sucks, but it's a lesson learned.

 

[MissChick@dee]

85 degrees is hot. Especially in a plywood box. Heat would be my guess. Stress from the heat can cause death.
I’m so sorry for your loss