New chick problems

[Beekissed]

Yep...heard of exotic birds being in the same room while someone was cooking in a non-stick skillet and the gases released killing them. Doesn't say much for how healthy THAT is, does it?

 

[polarbearforge]

I was thinking gas or fumes....but doesn't sound like it if the light was not a funky one. Well...that's a mystery unless it was just weak birds that got chilled somehow...which doesn't seem likely with an Ecoglow brooder handy.

Curiouser and curiouser....

Weak birds that got chilled is my unexperienced conclusion. I'm glad that somebody with more experience also came to that conclusion.

Are any of the bulbs in the garage Teflon coated? They'll be packaged as "heavy duty" or "shatter resistant". Even regular bulbs come Teflon coated, and birds are way sensitive to the gas Teflon releases. Like, they shouldn't be in the same room sensitive...

Nope. All of my lighting is either flourescent or led. I've heard they are sensitive.

Jamie

 

[Michael Apple]

Enough distribution of heat is important for proper temperature. Enough room to move away from heat is important too. Shipping stress is very real. Making sure they drink upon arrival and giving tepid water with added poultry vitamins-electrolytes to drink until they all get some, then removing water for 15 minutes stops the probability of aspiration. They need to learn how to drink eat and where the food source is located, which takes some time and a watchful eye to make sure everyone gets some. Poor air quality, overheated or chilled chicks won't eat or drink enough, get weak and die.

 

[aart]

I'm betting that they were chilled during shipping, not enough to kill them right away, just weaken them seeing as how they started dying pretty soon after receiving them.

Hopefully you have better luck with the next batch.

 

[TK421]

I hope the new batch is doing better. Please update when you have a chance. Everything I've read says that the brooder shouldn't have wide temp variations, 25 degrees seems to be too much of a difference. If you can get the whole brooder cell to be about 90-95 that might be better. Last August I had a few chicks come sick from the hatchery. Apple cider vinegar in the water helped a little, so you might try that with your new batch. Good luck!

 

[polarbearforge]

They haven't shipped the new batch yet, that will be the week of February 10th. I hope to have the brooder moved to it's permanent location by then. If not, they will be in my grow room. I plan on providing a bit more heat initially this time.

I'll have the nutrients mixed and ready to go when they get here.

Of the remainder, the four who survived are going strong. I alread had to move the brooder heater up notch, but I'm not sure they spend any time under it anymore. Maybe when running around, but usually they are out from under it or on top.

Jamie

 

[aart]

I hope the new batch is doing better. Please update when you have a chance. Everything I've read says that the brooder shouldn't have wide temp variations, 25 degrees seems to be too much of a difference. If you can get the whole brooder cell to be about 90-95 that might be better. Last August I had a few chicks come sick from the hatchery. Apple cider vinegar in the water helped a little, so you might try that with your new batch. Good luck!

Would be too hot, they need cool space too. Hot chicks get sick.

 

[Beekissed]

Yep...and dehydrated quickly, as well as pasty butt.

 

[seminolewind]

Be sure to grind up the chick crumbles smaller. Just a suggestion.

 

[polarbearforge]

So the replacement birds arrived today. Last time, they went to the nearby distribution hub (in the city where I work) but this time they went to my hometown post office. I picked them up after work.

A few changes since the last set of chics. I was going to put the brooder either in the coop or the front porch. It's now in the front porch. I sectioned part of it off and added a small heater. The surviving chics from the last batch have been there about a week.

Things are different this time. The chics are running around. They're almost attacking the grogel this time. I've seen just about all of them eat/drink already. I have a feeling things will go better this time.

Thanks for all the suggestions !

Jamie