NEED HELP, Chicks all dying

[featheredroots]

I'm so sorry about your chicks. We're on our second batch this year because all six of ours died by 3 wks. This batch is 5.5 weeks and they're starting to do the same thing as your describing, we've lost 3 in 3 days and I have two more sick ones. I feed them hand mixed organic feed, with kefir, eggs, molasses, and nutritional yeast, and now am giving them vitamins and electrolytes from the feed store. I clean them several times a day, check thier butts for signs of pasty keep their food and water clean. I've even been getting up at night every 3 hours to make sure they are eating and drinking(hand feeding the ones that can't get up). They are very well cared for, so I don't understand why I keep losing them, it's so frustrating, I wish I could help them.

I hope you have better luck with your next batch of chicks.

 

[CorinneP]

Do you have a thermometer in with the chicks. some lights really get very hot and you have to raise them up a bit . I am really sorry your going through this .. Hard to watch

 

[mnfarmmom]

Thank You all.
They do have a big enough space to get out of the heat. I have a thermometer in their area, so I do know the temp.
Last night I moved them from the coop area into the house in a big box so I could watch them better. I made sure they were all getting enough to drink (with the ACV). This morning they all are moving around more than yesterday. I'm hoping we've turned the corner.
The hatchery didn't know, as I've talked with them twice.
The strange thing to me is that I have 9 layers in with 26 broiler chicks. I've only lost one layer, but all but 2 broilers.

Thanks all.

 

[Nsampsel]

Sounds like something may be wrong with your broilers. Could be something they were born with or something they picked up along the way. When I lost my 1st 2 bantums the lady at AgLand had me get Duramycin. It's an antibiotic powder you add to their water (1 tsp/gal) for about a week. It clears up any respiratory issues. Those were the only 2 chicks I've lost out of 45 & 8 ducks (the ducks can't have the Duramycin so I separated them). My chicks have been brought in 2-10 at a time over the past 2 months & have been in the house until going to the coop. I've only used a standard 100 watt household bulb in my heat bell & either hung it over the brooder or attached it to the side. Mine never really acted cold & I know they weren't overheated, so your temp could be an issue as well. Chicks don't really need these high temps everyone seems to think they do. I've put 2 week olds out in the coop with temps dropping to the 20's at night within a few days of doing so. They just cuddled together & all was fine.

NOTE: You don't want to give Duramycin to your broilers for at least 1-2 weeks before processing. or to birds that are currently laying if you are eating the eggs. Wait 1-2 weeks to use the eggs as well.