My brooder got too hot!

[jasoneflanagan]

Hey, gang. I got my chicks in the mail from McMurray two days ago, and they were pooping machines as I expected right off the bat.

By the end of the day I brought them home, I thought they were pooping a bit less, but I thought that might have been normal as they recovered from the stress of shipping.

The next day (yesterday) I was seeing a bit of pasting, so I dutifully cleaned their bums with water and a wash cloth several times as I saw them need it. I supplemented their feed with cornmeal to help them with this.

Well, today it had continued, and after looking through some threads in the forums, I found that temperature can lead to dehydration and pasting.

I decided to use a different thermometer than what I had been using, and sure enough, my brooder was at just under 110 degrees.

I chucked the faulty thermometer, and I've adjusted the lights to get a temperature of 95, but now I'm worried that the damage has been done.

Is there anything I can do at this point to help them recover? I feel really horrible that I didn't figure this out before now. This is my first batch of chicks, and I'm really worried.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[Eastins Eggs]

If the temp is ok now they should be fine.

 

[Mahonri]

Continue to check their hind ends. Wash accordingly. Make certain they have lots of cool water available and that they are drinking it.

 

[jasoneflanagan]

Thanks for the replies.

I've checked all of their bums for pasting, and I think they're all ok.

I've watched them for a while since my first post, and I haven't noticed them drinking very often, but they have been eating a lot.

They have two fresh Mason jar waterers (14 birds) with cool water.

Is there anything else I can do to encourage them to drink?

 

[Master S.M.C]

I use a temp controller to maintain heat

 

[Cara]

I think if they're still alive now, they should be fine

 

[jasoneflanagan]

I'm still standing vigil, but things are looking better at this point. The girls are drinking more and seem to be pooping more frequently.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for all of the kind advice.

Jason

 

[jasoneflanagan]

Well, I woke up this morning, and all seems well in the brooder. I cleaned two or three not-too-messy rear ends for good measure, but none of them were pasted up.

They're all playing, eating, and drinking like nothing ever happened. Whew - what a relief.

Thanks again for your advice and reassurance.
Jason

 

[bangor777]

Hurray! Glad your babies are all fine.