Hi everyone. Glad to see some more responses. Here are my answers:
If you do bring another bird in, it's very important to quarantine for 30 days, more if possible. If I were you, I wouldn't bring another bird in. At least wait to make sure you don't have problems within the flock you already have. You may see some of us talking about a "closed" flock and that's what we're talking about.--Thanks for the advice. I will wait a few weeks to make sure the others are alright. We will have our coop built soon, so once the babies are ready to move out there maybe I can disinfect their chick enclosure and then bring in 2 new ones (wouldn't want them to get lonely!) that can stay in the chick enclosure during quarantine. I know of someone local who has some laying pullets that are around the same age so I think once the quarantine is over, they should hopefully integrate well.
If you have parrots than you know that by the time a bird shows signs that it is sick it's almost too late. Keep a good watch on their appetites, amount of water they drink and the consistency of their poops. --Yes! All too true.
What are you feeding them? Medicated or non medicated feed. Any treats? Do they have chicken grit available and how warm is the area they are living in.--I'm feeding them medicated feed that I got from Meyer Hatchery. As a treat, I occationally toss in a couple bits of raw veggies such as broccoli or romaine lettuce. I just started the treats recently. I have chick grit available to them that I got from
tractor supply. The bag says it crushed granite. The pieces are bigger than sand but since it was specifically for chicks hopefully it's ok. The temp in their area is right around 80 degrees with the 250 watt red heat bulb I have suspended over their enclosure. I think the temp is probably good since they don't seem to be clustering right underneath it or hiding away from it.
Make sure their eyes are clear and they don't have any discharge from their noses. Were they vaccinated at the factory?--Yes, I checked all of them for that last night. They were vaccinated at the hatchery before being shipped out.
Are the chicks walking on a wire floor or is it a solid floor. Is it concrete? What kind of bedding are you using. Still using a heat lamp?--I have about 3-4" deep of pine shavings in their enclosure. About 2 weeks ago I took some of it out and mixed some fresh stuff in to keep it sanitary. There's enough there that it always stays dry. Underneath the bedding is a concrete slab. I'm still using the heat lamp but I might switch to only using it at night soon as temps around here are about 75-85 during the day and they're in a nice non-drafy corner of the garage.
First, I'd recommend that you pick all the babies up and really give each one of them a very close exam. Check their weight - feel who's light and thin, who's a good weight. Check their down for any evidence of mites or lice - they're nearly microscopic so check carefully.--I'll have a good look for lice when I get home today. Weight-wise, there's a lot of varience since the different breeds seem to be progressing at different speeds but I checked to see if I could feel their keel bone easily (an indicator on parrots at least) and none of them seemed especially thin or too pudgy.
Then can you tell us what the babies are eating exactly? ("chick starter-grower medicated with amprolium" for example). At four weeks, they should only get play sand (a small bit) offered as grit, or "chick grit". They're really too young for most treats that aren't easily dissolved - like a little yogurt, some a tiny bit of cooked oatmeal. But 98% of the rest of their food should be good fresh smelling chick starter or starter grower with amprolium (not BMD) medication.--This is the stuff:
http://www.meyerhatchery.com/get_item_10pcs_10-pound-chick-starter-feed-shipping-included.htm I know it's medicated but I don't know with what. I'll check that when I get home. As I mentioned, I'm using chick grit and giving some veggies as treats here and there. Maybe I'll back off on the veggies for a bit though per your recommendation.
At four weeks, they should be around 80 degrees in the brooder at the coolest. And watch the warmth. --luckily the outside temps here haven't been getting over 80 so I think we're good in that dept. I have a 250 watt heat lamp that I heave suspended over their enclosure. A few weeks ago when it was warmer, I had it on a timer to shut off the heat lamp during the hottest hours of the day.
Are you using any vitamins/electrolytes in the water? It's not necessary with good complete food (age appropriate) but if you are, you certainly don't want to over do it - could this be a possibility?
--Nope, no vitamins or electrolytes. I change their water daily but they do sure get it gross quickly! I was using a chick waterer before but we just put in the DIY waterer that I found on this site made from a 5 gallon bucket. The bucket and pan were brand new and I washed them out with dish soap and rinsed well.
I'd also pick the rest of them up and listen carefully to their breathing ... "Feel" their breathing. You can often feel and hear respiratory snicks and hiccups and wheezes through your hand. Don't mistake them for the happy little silent peep that babies will do when you pick them up. Even big babies. --I'll make sure to keep an eye on that. I'm fairly sure that they're all good (even the one the died seemed fine) as I usually pick a couple to hold for a bit every day, trying to get them used to humans. My cochin chick (I got her for a pet, rather than for laying) will even fall asleep in my arms...so sweet!
