We lost our first chick today Update: more are dying :(

[HHandbasket]

Quote:
THANK YOU! (See my other post, right above this one.)

 

[Kavellion]

I know I had a small lil blue hamburg chick named hammie that never ate and sorta drank but died after three days. Guess the rule is dont name them right away.

 

[dolly85]

How big is your brooder? Are the chicks able to get to a cooler end? Don't you have a thermometer in there to read the temp? It sounds like they are too warm to me, you need to enlarge the brooder so the chicks can escape the heat. At the very least move the heat lamp up a few inches. I've never had chicks pass away from the cold, only too much heat. Those that were over heated and stressed also had pasty butt.
About 6 weeks ago I had my electricity go out in my shed overnight in 5-10 degree weather and the chicks were only 2 weeks old! They not only did fine but upon turing the lights back on they were cheeping and running all over the place. None got sick much less died.... Chicks are hardier then you think. Cool your babies off.

 

[bock]

Thanks everyone. I finally found the old thermometer. Right under the heat lamp it was 104F, but on the edges it was 97F. Last night though, it got down to 24F outside, so it was probably cooler. I have the temperature at 94F right now, after I took out one lamps. I don't think they died from the temps though, we think it is congenital tremors now. So, I really don't think there is much I can do. Here is the other thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=457306&p=2

This is really unfortunate, and it is definitely hard to deal with. I think I will ask Belt Hatchery for a refund and maybe pick up more chicks at the feedstore later this year.
Thanks everyone, at least the 12 survivors seem to be doing well.

 

[Sassafras]

The below is from oxfordjournals.org
From what it says it sounds like if it really was congenital tremors they wouldn't have died necessarily. Also, most likely only one breed/genetic strain would have been affected. Sorry, just trying to help find the cause.


A new neurological defect in the chicken, congenital quiver (CQ), is characterized by a continuous tremor. At hatching, affected chicks show a rapid tremor, while adult expression varies from a slight quiver to pronounced shaking. Genetic analysis showed the defect to be inherited as an autosomal recessive gene (cq) with complete penetrance. Livability of CQ birds is equivalent to that of their normal sibs. Affected females lay eggs and produce chicks; however, males are essentially sterile

 

[Ladybird CA]

Did the turkey make it?

 

[bock]

Hi everyone. We have 11 remaining chicks and one turkey. We lost two more today that have been weak for days. We got the brooder temp to level out at about 89-91 degrees. I really do not believe the temps are killing them off. They start out by getting weaker, then they stop eating and begin to shake, They start gasping, and finally they flip over and die soon after; even if we help them up. I have no clue what is going on, and I am really hoping we don't lose anymore. Thanks for the concern.

 

[HHandbasket]

I am so sorry you're going through this.

What did Belt say when you called them? They have a good reputation & should be willing to help you out.

Keep us posted & hope all goes well. Where abouts are you? Are you in/near Sacramento?

 

[Ladybird CA]

Oh no

I'll cross my fingers that no more die. Glad to know the poult is ok.

 

[bock]

Great news! We have went an entire 24 hours without losing any!

The rest are healthy and vigorous, except for our last BR hen. She is far better than the others that died, but we are having pasty butt issues with her. As long as I keep her cleaned up, I am pretty sure she will make it.

Thank you so much everyone for all of the support, suggestions, and kind words. We now have 11 healthy, active, beautiful 6 day old chicks and one turkey poult. Maybe I will try again in a few weeks, but for now I will enjoy the lovely babies I have now. Thanks so much.

~Bock~