replacing baby chick - will other chicks accept the new one?

[elaineinspain]

one of my four chicks died yesterday. The chicks are 6 days old today. I've had them since they were 3 days old. They are in a brooder with a brinsea ecoglow heater. I was wondering about calling the breeder to ask him if he has another from the same hatch (so same age) that I can replace the dead one with. If he does I would go this weekend to pick her up. My question is, would the others accept the new girl? By the weekend they will all be 9 days old, and the remaining chicks would've been without a fourth one for 4 days. Can anyone help me on this? I don't want to introduce another and have it killed by the others.... Thanks

 

[aart]

Quote: Oh Geez, Bummer!...but not surprising. I'm so sorry you're having such rotten first time luck, hard way to start out.
I conclude that those chicks had something wrong with them from the get go, disease or internal deformity.
Any way to quietly review that hatchery's reputation? I would not buy from them again, that's for sure.
Sad the last chick will likely succumb, but makes moving forward simpler in a way.
Sanitize the cage and all equipment with a strong bleach solution, let all air dry in the sun for a week, and start over with chicks from another source.

 

[Pork Pie]

Pending expert advice, i would advise getting at least 2 in order to reduce the stress of being introduced as a lone chick.

CT

 

[aart]

Agrees 2 would be better.
The existing chicks may accept a newcomer of the same age or younger....or they may not.
But be prepared to separate them with a wire wall across your brooder and another heat source if things don't go well.
Getting 2 more would balance the numbers better and there would be a pair for company if separation is needed.

How big is your brooder?
Can you post a pic of it?
Do you know why the one died?

 

[aart]

Sometimes they just don't make it, not quite right inside somehow.

That should be pretty easy to split in half if needed, especially if you have the divider that often comes with those crates.
But you will need another heat source.

 

[dekel18042]

...and now another one has died! I found the poor thing dead under the ecoglow this morning. Could it be that they are not warm enough? should I put them in a box inside the cage where I have them already in case of drafts? (see my previous post for a photo of their brooder)
The room temperature is 19ºC so 66ºF

they have pine shavings on the floor

they have a choice of fermented chick starter and normal chick starter in bowls.

they have water which I change 3 times a day.

What am I doing wrong?

any help is much appreciated -

Since you're using an eco glow I would just tuck the new chicks under it at night. That's what I've done and in the morning the originals don't even seem to notice there are some newbies, but as aart said, I would add at least two, if possible.
Not sure what your problem is, but can you check the temperatures and don't know the effect but would prefer a solid sided brooder at least until the chicks grow. Not sure if they could get caught or get drafts in the one you have. It would be fine for later. Maybe you can get a large or giant tote. I know that is what people here often use for small numbers. I'm also not sure about fermented feed that early. Someone who uses it could probably tell you more, but I add that much later. Good luck.

 

[aart]

Very good explanation of timeline and scenario.

The remaining chick will likely cheep more because it is alone...sometimes a little stuffed animal to cuddle up to can comfort them.

 

[aart]

Yes, lice could possibly kill a chick...google images of lice and mites and their eggs to help ID what you have.
DE won't likely stop an infestation, but it might help....I use a permethrin product if birds have lice but have never treated chicks.

Is 'Hatchery Guy' using an incubator or broody hens?

 

[elaineinspain]

Thank you so much Aart, Dekel, CT and Jaded Phoenix for all your help, advice and kind words.

The last baby chick died this evening at 8.30pm while I was holding her. You can imagine how heartbreaking this experience has been.

I've already taken out all the litter and put it on the compost, and I've washed down the plastic tote box, the dog crate and all the accessories with a strong bleach solution.

I have seen an ad for a different supplier who is quite local to me. We will go there next weekend and pick out 4 healthy strong looking birds. And if I see any dead chicks anywhere I will walk out and find a different supplier.

This experience has not dampened my dream to have chickens living with me in my garden and vegetable patch.

Thank you again for all your help.

 

[aart]

I'm so glad to hear you're ready to forge ahead despite the heartbreak...kudos to you!

Keep thinking.... how did they get lice if living only with other incubated chicks.
Usually they only live on the birds and are spread by close physical contact.

Anyway, hope the next chapter is filled with healthy chicks and happy keepers!