Gracie_Chickie; Something I've done that seems to work quite well. When chicks are born and I've got them in a tub in the house, with a heating pad and a towel wrapped around pad, one of the first things I do is to put Karo(white) syrup, about 2 tablespoons in their water. Any chicks not up to par drink and it's like a complete turnaround, their eating, drinking and everything is normal. If they do die, it's because something wasn't right at time of birth. A friend of mine sent chicks home with me, about 65 total, not all at one time. Only lost 3 out of whole bunch. This is a quart water bottle for chickens. Every day I would dump a little, as shavings would get in it and mess it up. For cover at night, would cover with towels, ( dog bath towels) Their secure, content, and happy. I can keep close watch on them throughout their first weeks of growth. I basically slept with them in the same room. If you need further info, you can reply thru this site. Good luck and hope it doesn't happen again. This has worked for me for 3 yrs.
