Three dead and dying chicks from the same source

[Sadcat]

I bought three little chicks, no feathers yet, from my local feedstore on March 16. They seemed normal when I got them. One of them died on Day 2. One of them died on Day 5, and today, which is Day 6, the last one left looks much like the other two before they died: listless, not eating or drinking. Additionally, this chick has not appeared to grow at all since we got her. On Day 1, I did not have a light on them because I thought my house was warm enough and there were four 3-week old chicks in the brooder to help keep them warm. On Day 2 after I found the one dead chick, I separated the two remaining chicks from the 3-week olds. I also used a light to make their box as warm or warmer than the brooder at the feed store they came from. I dont know why another died on Day 5 and why the last remaining one is dying. Did I damage them all by not having the lamp on Day 1?

 

[herechickychicky]

It sounds to me (I'm basing this on other entries I read on this forum, not from experience) like the chicks were too cold. Were you using a heat lamp, or just an ordinary household light? The brooder needs to have some sort of heat source and the space for the chicks to get away from it if they get too warm. I doubt an ordinary light bulb would warm up a brooder to the 90-95 degrees they need. I'm sure others here will jump in with their input. I will be getting my first chicks in May, so again, I'm not basing this on personal experience.

I'm really sorry about your chicks.

 

[allpeepedout]

My new chicks required about 93-95 degrees to appear quiet and comfortable. A $2 thermometer is helpful to ensure temps are correct.