Why do my baby chicks die?

[claudiabostic]

Up until they are fully covered with actual feathers not down, which usually happens at about 6 weeks, chicks need extra heat consistently about 90 degrees. They also need to be able to get away from the heat if they need to cool down. I really love the heat plates, I've raised several batches of chicks with them and they are wonderful. I hook mine up to a lamp dimmer on a cord (make sure it can handle the watts) because the plates at their normal setting are a bit too hot IMO, hot enough to burn my hand. With the dimmer, after a couple of weeks you can easily turn the plate down gradually so by the time they have all their feathers they won't need it any more. I like to set mine up a little taller in the front than in the back. The colder chicks move towards the back where its warmer. That also lets it work for chicks of different sizes.

 

[Aapomp831]

Up until they are fully covered with actual feathers not down, which usually happens at about 6 weeks, chicks need extra heat consistently about 90 degrees. They also need to be able to get away from the heat if they need to cool down. I really love the heat plates, I've raised several batches of chicks with them and they are wonderful. I hook mine up to a lamp dimmer on a cord (make sure it can handle the watts) because the plates at their normal setting are a bit too hot IMO, hot enough to burn my hand. With the dimmer, after a couple of weeks you can easily turn the plate down gradually so by the time they have all their feathers they won't need it any more. I like to set mine up a little taller in the front than in the back. The colder chicks move towards the back where its warmer. That also lets it work for chicks of different sizes.

90 degrees is absolutely too hot. Let the chicks tell you if they are too hot or cold. I don’t use a thermometer in my brooder, I base it on the chicks behavior and simply lower or raise the heat lamp. But definitely DO NOT need 90 degree heat past the first day or two. People stress way too much over heat; it’s not an exact science it’s about observing their behavior and adjusting the lamp accordingly.

 

[LaFleche]

with two older chicks (6 weeks old) with a normal lamp close to them to keep them warm.

Apart from the lack of a proper heat source it is not advisable to put new hatchlings with chicks that are already 6 weeks old. They will get trampled on and pushed around until they die. A few days of age difference will be ok, but not 6 weeks.

 

[Littlefrenchyinbigtexas]

Thank you. Looking at heat plates... I am afraid that was the problem....

Just added pictures of set up. Only one young chicks left.

 

[Littlefrenchyinbigtexas]

Get a real heat lamp, and place it so there is a warm spot as well as a spot to go to cool off. Observe your chicks - if they are too cold, they will let you know. They will be huddling together and chirping very loudly. Too hot and they spread out around the brooder and hold out there wings and pant. At 6 weeks, I highly doubt heat was your problem. Maybe for the 2 weekers, but still not likely unless you live somewhere northern where it gets really cold.
Have you checked for pasty butt / bloody poops? It wouldn’t hurt to put everyone on Corid just in case it’s coccidiosis... if it’s not it won’t hurt them.
But yes in the first few weeks of life they need a real heat lamp; it’s not a fire hazard unless you don’t secure it properly and allow it to fall over into something.

I added pics of our set up. Let me know.
I noticed one had a bit of poop stuck on her butt a few days back. I thought was just dirt from the pen.

 

[LaFleche]

I added pics of our set up. Let me know.
I noticed one had a bit of poop stuck on her butt a few days back. I thought was just dirt from the pen.

Your actual setup is a safety hazard as the straw is very close to the lamp. The chicks might get burned as well if they get to close.

 

[ladybrasa]

To be honest, I didn’t have a problem with multi age chicks of multiple breeds, except maybe the one that might have suffocatedI actually think the bigger ones kept the little ones warm, because they stopped using the heat plate, a little early, IMO.

The heat plate also can serve as a hideaway for the little littles. Most models you can raise high on one end and low on the other so there’s kind of a gradient that the chicks can choose where to rest. My plates got hot to where I could hardly keep my fingers on it, but the chicks totally didn’t mind - no burns and no roasting pine flakes. Again they could adjust themselves under it (or not).

Something else that helps with warmth (but doesn’t replace a heat source are A bundle of feather dusters. This is a bit controversial due to safety. I have two bundles of turkey feather dusters - not ostrich! - and all the chicks love and loved it. There is a choke and tangling hazard with them, but all I read was this was from ostrich feathers, not turkey feathers. I never had a problem.

 

[Aapomp831]

I added pics of our set up. Let me know.
I noticed one had a bit of poop stuck on her butt a few days back. I thought was just dirt from the pen.

I would swap out the straw for pine shavings (large chunk, not fine) and raise that lamp so it’s not touching anything. Watch them and observe behavior and decide wether to raise or lower, leaving one side of the brooder a “cooler” section for hot birds to go.

 

[Aapomp831]

Also, please look up pasty butt and check your chicks vents everyday. Stuck poop backs them up and can kill a little chick very easily - there should be nothing stuck to their butts. You are going to want to get another chick around the same age if possible; chickens are social creatures and need the company.

 

[Littlefrenchyinbigtexas]

Your actual setup is a safety hazard as the straw is very close to the lamp. The chicks might get burned as well if they get to close.

Nooo...
getting a heat plate on amazon now!!!!