Sad news

[Livinwright Farm]

Lost 4 in the brooder overnight, and one is very pokey/"tired" today... I didn't think overheating would be an issue, as only z small fragment of the box they were in was under the heat lamp. Apparently this group of chicks needed water sooner than most.... hoping that I don't lose this other one... right now out of 27 hatched I am down to 20 chicks currently alive.

 

[flower]

Best of luck to you and your chicks..........but sometimes only the strongest make the trip.

 

[Susan Mc]

Do you not offer water in the brooder right from the start? I move chicks into the brooder on the day after they hatch, and dip their beaks into the water as I transfer them in, and do this 3-4 times that day till I see them drinking on their own, then offer feed.
Also, does the heat lamp provide enough heated area for the number of chicks? Did they pile up on top of each other trying to reach the warm spot and smother some on the bottom? Consider a second lamp or an electric hen if this is the case. E-hens are much better on the electric bill btw.

Sorry to hear this sad news. I just lost 3 chicks in my hatcher, one fail to break out, one fail to pip, one late mortality. Very frustrating trying to sort out these problems. Better luck with the next group. I hope the other little one pulls through.

 

[gitlost80]

Sorry to hear about your lost chicks. 20 is a good number though!Im sure they will keep you busy. I had a weak baby too, so I ran to the feed store and got some chick electrolyte/vitamin powder to mix in the water and he bounced back within hours.

 

[onthespot]

I have found I get better survival rates on my newly hatched chicks if I whiz their Start 'N Grow in a blender and make it more like cornmeal consistency for the first week or so. Especially for the smaller breeds. Sometimes I have tried it straight from the bag and tend to lose silkie/showgirl chicks when I do that. I have saved "pokey" babies by giving them a few drops of the syrup from canned peaches in their beaks every fifteen minutes or so, and offering them the ground food and fresh water, and make sure the temp is right. Good luck, hope the rest of yours make it.

 

[HighNDryFarm]

It's so hard to lose any of them and I know we just want to know why....that's the hard part, but sounds like you've been pretty successful with 20 so you're doing something right. Hope the little one perks up for you today.