Are these farm-type chickens? If no one here can help you, I wonder if the Farm forum might help. Sorry, it sounds sad.

Here is a link that might be useful: Farm

Have you raised chicks before?
I would check the temp of the brooder since it doesn't need to be as warm as the incubator. Sounds like the chicks may be overheating.
For now I wouldn't tie their legs together since the chicks need their legs/feet for balance. Even when splayed a chick can make use of their legs for balance so wait until you talk to the folks on the fowl forum before proceeding.
Check out the link below.......members there usually answer rapidly.

Here is a link that might be useful: Backyard chickens

double post...........

This post was edited by annz on Wed, Dec 10, 14 at 2:17