URGENT HELP NEEDED WITH BABY CHICKS

[SandyRiverChick]

I plan to move them into something before they outgrow it, I replaced the top mesh part to provide better air flow, I have a thermometer on both sides of the enclosure, the side with the light says its 87 F right now, and on the opposite side it says it's 69 F. Is that too hot? They seem pretty happy, and run around with little pieces of food. I have this whole fenced in area they can play in, it's room temperature and has lots of places to play, I open the door and let them go play when I have the time, they seem to love that. I'm going to get some grit today, can they eat Super worms or hornworms? I've got a bunch of little baby ones right now. Thank you all so very much for your help!

Is the thermometer on each side down on the floor? It's amazing how temps fluctuate from floor to high up. The running around is a sign that you're doing great. It's like said, just really tough in any container whether glass, hard plastic or metal that only has air flow over the top with a heat source in the bottom. The best brooders have side ventilation too. You don't have to get creative with feeding babies. Commercial starter with added water is all they need. You can give them cut up worms for extra protein but don't replace main food source with that.

 

[Fancyflock]

Is the thermometer on each side down on the floor? It's amazing how temps fluctuate from floor to high up. The running around is a sign that you're doing great. It's like said, just really tough in any container whether glass, hard plastic or metal that only has air flow over the top with a heat source in the bottom. The best brooders have side ventilation too. You don't have to get creative with feeding babies. Commercial starter with added water is all they need. You can give them cut up worms for extra protein but don't replace main food source with that.

The thermometers are eye level with the chicks, about 5 inches off the ground. They are connected to my phone so it tells me when Temps are too high or too low. I'll give them some of the worms as treats. Thank you so much!
Four of the chicks that had the swollen vent are doing much better, none of them seem lethargic, and have been playing all morning!!!

 

[Fancyflock]

I’m so sorry for what happened. I know how it feels to find a lost chick, and I’m truly sorry for the distress it caused. Are there any other chicks showing similar symptoms?

Thank you
So far, the other chicks seem to be doing increasingly better, hopefully they continue to!!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

The thermometers are eye level with the chicks, about 5 inches off the ground. They are connected to my phone so it tells me when Temps are too high or too low. I'll give them some of the worms as treats. Thank you so much!
Four of the chicks that had the swollen vent are doing much better, none of them seem lethargic, and have been playing all morning!!!

And they're how old? 87 is probably 90 for them which, if I was dealing with pasty butt, I'd turn down. It's just my humble opinion but it's also my 22 years of raising chicks, experience.

 

[Fancyflock]

And they're how old? 87 is probably 90 for them which, if I was dealing with pasty butt, I'd turn down. It's just my humble opinion but it's also my 22 years of raising chicks, experience.

they're around 3 weeks, we got them at tractor supply 2 weeks ago, so maybe younger... we got them the day they arrived there. I can get the heat down, thank you!

 

[Fancyflock]

One of the doors on the tank the chicks are in has been broken, you can still close it, just can't open it. I took it off and replaced it with a mesh frame instead to help airflow, the top was also replaced with a metal cage door, with bigger gaps, to help air flow. When the chicks get bigger, I'll get them a bigger place to stay, then they will be in the big coop outside, with lots of places to run! On my way to get the grit now!

 

[Fancyflock]

This little girl is doing so much better! Her little rear isn’t nearly as swollen, and has been jumping around all the other chicks are looking just as good!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

This is probably after the fact (I just found this thread) but for future reference, start giving the chicks grit a day or so before adding anything to their diet besides the chick starter. That feed has fine grit in it for digestion, but not much. I give my babies grit for about three days before introducing broken-up meal worms. And then introduce other "treats" very gradually, over time. Good luck with your babies!