The wife bought Silkie Bantams...how do I keep these things alive?

[Ruler of the Roost]

As for food I am feeding them a layer crumble. My guinea and my turkey eat it as well as all of my chickens, so it's been serving the whole flock...not sure what the difference between this and 'all-flock' would be.

 

[Ruler of the Roost]

These guys look cold:
View attachment 4053167

The smaller birds are scared of the larger birds. We had them together while I was cleaning the other large brooder. They all act fine when they are separated into two different brooders. All of the birds in that picture are fully feathered and have not been under lamps for nearly a week.

 

[FrostRanger]

As for food I am feeding them a layer crumble. My guinea and my turkey eat it as well as all of my chickens, so it's been serving the whole flock...not sure what the difference between this and 'all-flock' would be.

Layer feed has way too much calcium for chicks and way too little protein. All flock has less calcium and usually more protein. I would get them some chick starter asap

 

[Ruler of the Roost]

Layer feed has way too much calcium for chicks and way too little protein. All flock has less calcium and usually more protein. I would get them some chick starter asap

Noted. I will get it first thing in the morning.

 

[tlcmurphy]

Layer feed has way too much calcium for chicks and way too little protein. All flock has less calcium and usually more protein. I would get them some chick starter asap

Agreed, babies need chick starter sometimes called starter/grower. Layer feed is only for laying females, not males or chicks or older hens no longer laying.

 

[casportpony]

As for food I am feeding them a layer crumble. My guinea and my turkey eat it as well as all of my chickens, so it's been serving the whole flock...not sure what the difference between this and 'all-flock' would be.

I suggest getting some starter crumbles for the chicks and the juveniles.

The smaller birds are scared of the larger birds. We had them together while I was cleaning the other large brooder. They all act fine when they are separated into two different brooders. All of the birds in that picture are fully feathered and have not been under lamps for nearly a week.

If none of them are dying, then .

 

[Roosterfeather]

I'm using rooster booster +K

Great! That's what I was talking about! It's a pink liquid, right?

 

[Roosterfeather]

But ... the other two broods were not silkies, correct? The feathers and the size of the birds make the difference. It's harder for silkies to regulate their body temperature because they are smaller, and the feathers are not as efficient at insulating. I'm glad you solved the problem!

Me too.

 

[McChooky]

Not being warm enough the first week slows down their metabolism down causing poor digestion, lack of nutrients and dehydration. Hopefully you can get them stabilized before losing anymore!

 

[Ruler of the Roost]

Great! That's what I was talking about! It's a pink liquid, right?

yes