The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: terryh on July 20, 2010, 03:57:19 pm

Title: chicks dying
Post by: terryh on July 20, 2010, 03:57:19 pm

i have  or did have 27 chicks  im down to 22  i have lost 5 chicks over night im feeding chick crumbs
they are eating well (looks like it anyway )  my bedding id easy bed a small wood chip should i change it or keep it  am i doing something wrong
help please

Title: Re: chicks dying
Post by: cairnhill on July 20, 2010, 04:22:05 pm

how old are they?  are they under a heat lamp?

Title: Re: chicks dying
Post by: terryh on July 20, 2010, 04:32:35 pm

hi
yes under a heat lamp they dont huddle up tight all walking around seam healthy enough
they are about 5 days old

Title: Re: chicks dying
Post by: shetlandpaul on July 20, 2010, 04:38:49 pm

were are they. any drafts or sudden change of temp.

Title: Re: chicks dying
Post by: terryh on July 20, 2010, 04:55:51 pm

they are in the back of my shed yesterday it was hot in there

Title: Re: chicks dying
Post by: shetlandpaul on July 20, 2010, 06:36:53 pm

if no other symtoms it was probably heat stroke. they need a stable temp. its just a bit of bad luck. don't worry.

Title: Re: chicks dying
Post by: Frieslandfilly on July 20, 2010, 10:08:38 pm

Make sure they dont have pasty vent, this will kill them quickly, if they have poo stuck to the vent it will back up inside, this is common with chicks and you just have to clean them off (nice job!)
Dawn

Title: Re: chicks dying
Post by: terryh on July 21, 2010, 11:14:55 am

so far so good no losses today eating drinking ok lots of wandering about

when can you start to give greens and what would you give them first
thanks guys

terry