My chicks keep dying! Please some advice!!!

[Frosty]

So if it isn't the bedding, maybe try a fresh bag of feed? Maybe the one that you got has something wrong.

 

[Frosty]

And for temp, I don't use a thermometer. Are the chicks huddling close or look like they are trying to stay to the edges? The loud chirping sounds like they are trying to tell you something. How big is you brooder? Can they get away from the heat if they are too hot?

 

[ebonykawai]

I know mine chirp loudly when they are cold, but you said your brooder was 95. Other than old feed, I just don't know what it could be. Sorry, I'm being very little help.

 

[Penske]

Could it be something toxic in the newspaper ink?

 

[HenHaven]

Just grasping at possibilities here...is there a chance that the food could be moldy?

Also, Speckledhen lost Hawkeye from using something with benzocaine in it. Is anyone who is handling the chicks using any medication on their hands? Once I read what happened to Hawkeye, and learned how sensitive birds are to that drug, I made a mental note to never have it on my hands when handling chicks. I know it's a longshot...

 

[MBLayfield]

The chicks are in a rubbermaid container with holes drilled all over the sides. The holes are 3/4 holes so I know there is plenty of air flow. I moved the light higher just to be safe. Its 70 in my house so I don't think that will hurt. I put down just paper towels in case its the newspaper. I don't think its the paper towels but I know I've had them awhile they have christmas prints on them.....

I hardboiled an egg and mixed the yolk with some water and am feeding the most listless two a couple drops every hour. They are chirping right now like crazy so that tells me that they are getting energy, then they get listless so I'm wondering if it isn't the feed or the amount of food they are eating. Like I said I haven't seen them eat or drink but I've shown them over and over (just in case) where the water is. Tomorrow morning I"m stopping to get a new bag of feed. I did find that this feed is purina brand sunfresh start and grow medicated. I'll keep you posted............

 

[Katy]

That's the kind of feed I feed my chicks, so unless you got a moldy bag or something I don't think that's it.

 

[ChickNLittle]

I don't know if you any of you have heard, but supposedly some type of feed made by Purina has gotten some animals very sick this last week. I heard about it through Sue Vetch's list in Georgia. I'm not sure which types and the specific feeds, but if you feed Purina, I would check it out.

 

[mandomama]

Thats what I've got mine on too and so far they've been doing fine. You might want to stick another thermometer in there just to be sure.

 

[hiddenmagnolia]

All of the holes may be creating a draft on your chicks. If so then they will not eat or drink right if they are too cold. If they are chirping loud then they might be too cold. Cover up holes and check to temp. I start my brooder at 100 the first couple of days if I only have a few chicks because they can not maintain body heat well enough on their own with so few birds. That is why hatcheries will only ship in set of 25.