Waterbelly in broiler chicks

[Eggcessive]

Do you have a thermometer under the heat lamp? The lamp looks a bit too close to them, and I would raise it to at least 18 inches or more from the tops of their heads. Also it is good to double secure heat lamps, and I use the cord sometimes and wrap it around the holder once, usually a 2x4 which helps to secure it. The temperature should be only 80 degrees or less in the hottest spot for a 3 weeks old. You cannraise the heat lamp to reduce the temp.

 

[MaryKiss]

Do you have a thermometer under the heat lamp? The lamp looks a bit too close to them, and I would raise it to at least 18 inches or more from the tops of their heads. Also it is good to double secure heat lamps, and I use the cord sometimes and wrap it around the holder once, usually a 2x4 which helps to secure it. The temperature should be only 80 degrees or less in the hottest spot for a 3 weeks old. You cannraise the heat lamp to reduce the temp.

Thank you very much for this insight. I am struggling with how to keep it warm enough, since it’s an uninsulated coop. They were in the garage for first two weeks but outgrew that set up. Add another heat lamp maybe? I kept it low thinking since they were still bunched under it they needed the heat. I will bring a thermometer over and check out temps.
Funny they say those heat plates are sized for 50 chicks…to the beginner that sounds like that’s all you need. I now realize that isn’t realistic for more than the first few days. Even then it seems crazy that 50 chicks would squish under there!

 

[MaryKiss]

Here are some still shots, I am checking on them incessantly. Does this look normal/abnormal for anyone able to take a second look? Thank you!

 

[Eggcessive]

It just looks like the typical little fat bottoms of meat birds. You can control how much they are eating, or have them walk out to a feeder to get more exercise. I am just making suggestions that I have read, because I have no experience with broilers. I have read that controlling their feed amount can help to prevent some of the problems seen with legs and not gaining too much too fast.

 

[MaryKiss]

Hi all, I wanted to update you on my chicks. After much ado and talking to so many people I decided they were looking ok and getting along pretty well. I did get to see my friends chickens from the same batch and mine didn’t look night and day different. So I continued on feeding them and just processed them yesterday. They were great healthy birds, for this breed. Such sweet birds. I do question the humaneness of a broiler breed and I’m not sure I will raise them again. I didn’t witness any real disease or disformity but compared to my layer chicks these freedom ranger color yield chicks sure just sat around a lot. Granted we’ve had a really cool wet spring, I just don’t know that they had the life of a chicken that their chicken spirit deserved! This is in their memory, thanks all for your support!