Struggling with babies :(

[jwells84]

As of yesterday I acquired 5 chicks, the youngest being 4days old. the young ones are turkin, and the 1 other older one has all it's fluff and was fluffy yellow. I put a red heat lamp on them last night and this morning turkins are ok, but fluffy was dead. guessing it got to cold.. I think I need to know which heat lamps are best for chicks. red or white, or is there something different? the next several days its suppose to be 70-80 outside with 40s at night. also can I put a thermometer with them to find the right temp or is that necessary? Thanks for any help!

 

[Judy]

I'm sorry you lost one. Most likely it simply had some problem that wasn't compatible with life. It happens, unfortunately.

You probably need a thermometer. The correct heat source is the one that is safe and creates the temp they need. At one week that's about 90 degrees, but in the end, it's what they are comforatble with. If they group by the heat, they are cold. If they group as far away from the heat as they can get, they are too hot. When they are comfortable, they will sleep in different places, nap off and on, alternating with running round and softly cheeping. They should have a brooder large enough that they can get to a cooler or warmer spot. By 2 weeks, they should really have a minimum of 1 sq ft per chick -- and that is usable floor space, not space taken by feeders, etc.

If you want to read more about losing new chicks, and pitfalls to avoid, this is an excellent writeup; It's in the sticky for the Raising Baby Chicks forum.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/39604/some-causes-of-early-chick-mortality/0_20

 

[jwells84]

Thank you.

 

[jwells84]

this is how I set it up, but last night heat lamp was above cage an they seemed cold.