I just hatched the little guys yesterday, and they were so strong and running around all over and peepin up a storm.
By the time I was ready for bed last night the 7 eggs finished hatching and the chicks were dry, so I popped them into the small brooder I had ready with a small dish of water and no food.
When I woke up this morning, they were all good and I dipped each ones beak into the water and watched them each swallow a few drops, a few even drank on there own immediately after.
I did not give them food today either.
I checked in on them periodically thruought the day.
I checked them right before I went outside and they were still perfectly fine and runnin around and saw 2 drink, so I went out and cleaned the coop out.
I was outside for maybe an hour and 1/2 tops, and when I came in all but 1 of the chicks were dead.
The one that was alive was panting very heavily with beak wide open and tongue extended, not moving and lookin like on the verge of death.
I dripped a few drops of water in its mouth and it seems to be fine now.
I double checked the temp and it was at 98, so I know they didnt get cooked and plenty of ventilation.
When I found them dead, they were still warm and floppy, not stiff, I wish I had come in just 10 mins sooner, I could have maybe done something.
It really seems like they died of dehydration, which seems strange to me because I thought the deal was that they do not NEED food/water for the 1st day or 2 till they completely absorb the yolks.
I even second-guessed myself and provided water for them, just hours after they hatched.
Did I kill my chicks by either a) giving them water too early, or b) not giving them food in the 12-20 hrs since they hatched?
I have since put the survivor(who is back to its old strong self) in the "mini-brooder" that is in the main coop/brooder for my older chicks.
I have 2 tiny wyandottes I got over the weekend in there, so they are a few days more experienced at being chickens and can show the little guy how its done.
I am really disappointed that these chicks died, they were so special to me, not only were they hatched on easter but they were hatched from family chickens and in a DIY bator that performed flawlessly, I had a lot of time and even emotion involved with this undertaking, and Im not one for projecting human emotions onto animals . . .
I am sad . . .
By the time I was ready for bed last night the 7 eggs finished hatching and the chicks were dry, so I popped them into the small brooder I had ready with a small dish of water and no food.
When I woke up this morning, they were all good and I dipped each ones beak into the water and watched them each swallow a few drops, a few even drank on there own immediately after.
I did not give them food today either.
I checked in on them periodically thruought the day.
I checked them right before I went outside and they were still perfectly fine and runnin around and saw 2 drink, so I went out and cleaned the coop out.
I was outside for maybe an hour and 1/2 tops, and when I came in all but 1 of the chicks were dead.
The one that was alive was panting very heavily with beak wide open and tongue extended, not moving and lookin like on the verge of death.
I dripped a few drops of water in its mouth and it seems to be fine now.
I double checked the temp and it was at 98, so I know they didnt get cooked and plenty of ventilation.
When I found them dead, they were still warm and floppy, not stiff, I wish I had come in just 10 mins sooner, I could have maybe done something.
It really seems like they died of dehydration, which seems strange to me because I thought the deal was that they do not NEED food/water for the 1st day or 2 till they completely absorb the yolks.
I even second-guessed myself and provided water for them, just hours after they hatched.
Did I kill my chicks by either a) giving them water too early, or b) not giving them food in the 12-20 hrs since they hatched?
I have since put the survivor(who is back to its old strong self) in the "mini-brooder" that is in the main coop/brooder for my older chicks.
I have 2 tiny wyandottes I got over the weekend in there, so they are a few days more experienced at being chickens and can show the little guy how its done.
I am really disappointed that these chicks died, they were so special to me, not only were they hatched on easter but they were hatched from family chickens and in a DIY bator that performed flawlessly, I had a lot of time and even emotion involved with this undertaking, and Im not one for projecting human emotions onto animals . . .
I am sad . . .
