Orpington Chicks dying

[Mrs. Light Sussex]

2 weeks ago I started out with 9 Lavender Orpington 3-day old chicks. They seemed fine during the day, but 2 nights ago 2 of them died, first one then another one a couple hours later. The same thing happened tonight, one died and shortly afterwards another one went.

The hottest part (where they chose to sleep) is 95, the coolest part is 77. They seem to be eating and drinking, oh and pooping too. The last one to go died mid-poop. Next to it was green poop.

Any pointers? I don't want to lose the rest of them.

 

[microchick]

Is the poo liquid or formed? The first thing that comes to mind is coccidia.

 

[Mrs. Light Sussex]

Is the poo liquid or formed?

Not liquid at all.

The first thing that comes to mind is coccidia.

Is that something that will kick-in only at night?

 

[microchick]

Hmmmmm. No. It would be present almost constantly if they were infected with coccidia.

That was my only idea.

Perhaps @rebrascora, @casportpony, @oldhenlikesdogs will check in with ideas

 

[Mrs. Light Sussex]

Could it be over heating?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

We're they shipped to you?

 

[Mrs. Light Sussex]

We're they shipped to you?

No I picked them up myself from a local farmer 2 weeks ago.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What temperature are you currently brooding at? 95 degrees can be too hot. I generally start at 85-90 F than lower it 5 degrees a week. Could be they are too hot. Heat can kill quickly in young chicks.

 

[Mrs. Light Sussex]

What temp should they get now (2.5 wks)?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would be between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit for the hottest. If you haven't lowered it each week you may need to do it over a couple of days so they acclimate. My heat lamp gets raised weekly. I use 125 watt bulb as 250 tend to be too hot. Are you using a heat lamp?