Might be a genetic issue?

[PoppasGrill]

We purchased, at Rural King Farm Store, 4 Buckeye, 4 White Faced Spanish, and 2 turkeys around 7 weeks ago. A week later we hatched an incubator clutch of 14 from our hens,( so mixed breeds).
The Buckeyes get real lethargic without a heat lamp , even during the day when it’s mid 70’s, and 2 of them passed at 5-6 weeks. Just stopped eating or running around. We took the turkey chicks out and put them in a seperate coop, as they were running all over the other chicks.
We noticed that without the heat lamp on they would just lay down and not try to eat. Once we turn the lamp on, 15 mins or so later, they are walking around and eating, 30 mins after that they are running around the coop.
The Spanish have been fine the whole time and the Turks appear fine. Just effecting the Buckeye, which we read was a hardy breed in all weather conditions. We are in Central Fl, so it doesn’t get real cold here anyway.
Does the collective knowledge have any idea of what might be the issue.?
We asked at the farm store if anyone else that purchased from them has reported this issue, but most people aren’t really that sociable , or so the chick minder told us, they get their chicks and never talk to her after.

 

[cavemanrich]

Does the collective knowledge have any idea of what might be the issue.?

Only thing I can think of,,,,, JUST TRY YOUR BEST. Keep heating them, until they thrive, or otherwise.
7 weeks old should be sufficiently feathered out chicks to tolerate 70°F temps.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[SourRoses]

Hmmm... well I'm glad to hear the WFBS are doing well. I had some trouble with them in the past (vitamin issues exacerbated by amprolium treatment).

As for the Buckeyes... does their poo look normal? Sometimes when they are ill (like Coccidiosis) they have trouble maintaining their internal thermostat and need help. And chickens who feel cold definitely don't eat. Warming up ill chicks was the only way I saved some in the past.
But if their poo is normal... the other likely scenario is they are slower to fully feather in. It doesn't seem like a breed that's supposed to have that trait, but I don't actually know.