Weak Chicks—is heat plate the problem, brooder wire, or something else

[Tunie B]

Can you post a picture of your setup?

Good idea!

I'd get something more study - cardboard perhaps, and I'd punch a few small holes in it and zip tie it firmly to the wire so no chance of a corner peeling up and a chick getting stuck on the edges. I've also lost a chick to getting its foot stuck in a crevice.

Can you put your hand on it and see how hot/cold it is? Sometime plates run hotter or colder than expected.

Also have the chicks been vaccinated for coccidiosis or are they on medicated feed? No bloody poops?

Good call—I can get cardboard. No bloody poops that I can see. It’s non-medicated feed.

 

[Tunie B]

I just replaced the heat plate with the heat lamp—the stronger chicks seemed to get energized by it. Now I’m thinking the heat plate wasn’t warm enough.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I just replaced the heat plate with the heat lamp—the stronger chicks seemed to get energized by it. Now I’m thinking the heat plate wasn’t warm enough.

Maybe, hard to say. Glad you had a backup heat option on hand! Just make sure they still have a cool area in the brooder where they can get relief from the heat if they so choose.

Since the plate is removed this is a moot point, but in case you opt to try switching back again I would've also opted to pile some bedding under the plate, which 1) gives the chicks somewhere to snuggle down and helps keep them warm and 2) also "lifts" the flooring under the plate a bit so the chicks can really crawl in and snuggle against the plate if needed.

 

[Tunie B]

Maybe, hard to say. Glad you had a backup heat option on hand! Just make sure they still have a cool area in the brooder where they can get relief from the heat if they so choose.

Since the plate is removed this is a moot point, but in case you opt to try switching back again I would've also opted to pile some bedding under the plate, which 1) gives the chicks somewhere to snuggle down and helps keep them warm and 2) also "lifts" the flooring under the plate a bit so the chicks can really crawl in and snuggle against the plate if needed.

Oo, this is also very helpful—thank you! The heat lamp scares me as a fire hazard—I’d like to try again tomorrow with bedding and the plate.

 

[Tunie B]

The Silkie cross (Green Queen bantam) just passed away.

I’m hoping the remaining Salmon Favorelle can come back. She’s waking up a bit.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd also consider picking up some Poultry Nutri-Drench if that's available anywhere near you - it's an ideal pick me up for chicks and birds that are lethargic with no known cause.

 

[Tunie B]

I'd also consider picking up some Poultry Nutri-Drench if that's available anywhere near you - it's an ideal pick me up for chicks and birds that are lethargic with no known cause.

Thank you—I will definitely pick one up tomorrow.

I think I spoke too soon about the SF. She’s not looking good. The strong chicks are loving the heat lamp—stretched their wings out, basking. I’m not sure what happened.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Wonder if they just had a rough trip to your house, I don't know. I assume you've checked for pasty butt? Made sure everyone is eating and drinking? I suppose you could treat for coccidiosis but I have to assume the odds of them catching it at this early age without any outside exposure to be pretty low.

I know some of these questions seem like I'm reaching since you've mentioned having brooded chicks before, but I'm just trying to think of what sorts of things to suggest at all.

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

It's your third lot so I'm sure you've got it all right, but to check: you have the right food? They can access it okay? Young chicks are sometimes not the most intelligent!

I like putting the food just on the puppy pads for first week and then in a container after. For water I like to mix some nutri-drench into it for the first two times I refill it but also offer a spare plain water too.

With the heat plates, put two legs at the height of them standing up with a little space, and the back legs lower. This way they can choose where they want to sit and rest. I've successfully brooded over 400 quail chicks with my heat plates, never had any issues and they certainly are not as posh as that brinsea one. I use Titan Plates.

I'm sure you know all this just not sure what else it could be, sometimes hatches go like this

 

[Tunie B]

Wonder if they just had a rough trip to your house, I don't know. I assume you've checked for pasty butt? Made sure everyone is eating and drinking? I suppose you could treat for coccidiosis but I have to assume the odds of them catching it at this early age without any outside exposure to be pretty low.

I know some of these questions seem like I'm reaching since you've mentioned having brooded chicks before, but I'm just trying to think of what sorts of things to suggest at all.

They might have had a rough trip. I got them delivered 24 hours after hatch, but I know it is always so stressful for them. I've checked their little booties and no one seems to have pasty butt. I thought everyone was eating, but I do wonder if that first little Salmon Favorelle with the wonky leg had trouble accessing it.