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Rough start with first chicks

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post #1 of 7

3/16/12 at 6:48am

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jdesq1

Joined: 2/2012
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We received our chicks in the mail Wednesday morning. They came from Sunnyside Hatchery which is only a couple of hours away so the chicks were only traveling for 1 night. I ordered 10 brown pullets and when I opened the box they looked very distressed. We put them in the brooder immediately and held them each by the lamp to warm them up and dipped their beaks in the water which had vitamins and electrolites. Within 2 hours 2 of them had died and the next morning 1 more died. My wife was really sad as she had spent so much time holding them and nursing them along. Is this amount of death normal? The other 7 at this time seem healthy and we are hoping for the best. Do I contact the hatchery ( they were alive when I opened the box, though barely). Should I wait to order a few more or do it right away? Thanks to everyone here, I've learned alot browsing this forum.

Jeff

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post #2 of 7

3/16/12 at 6:56am

bloonskiller911

Location: Brookville, Indiana
Joined: 1/2012
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i would definately contact the hatchery. i have ordered lots of chicks (from mthealthy hatchery) and "knock on wood" haven't lost any upon arrival or with in the first 6 weeks. you may have just recieved some weak chicks but 30 % death rate with in two days seems very high to me. Are you ordering more chicks for replacements for these? do you need the specific number 10? if not why not wait and see how your 7 do and if you need more than that.

i hope for the best for the rest of your chicks!!!

post #3 of 7

3/16/12 at 10:48pm

felidaet

Location: Vancouver, Wa.
Joined: 12/2008
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Sorry to hear about your losses. Definitely call the hatchery right away. Most will offer a refund or replacement. There should be a replacement/refund policy posted in their catalog and/or website.

1 Silver Laced Wyandotte, 2 Gold Laced Wyandotte, 1 BLRW, 1 Columbian Wyandotte, 4 Rhode Island Red, 6 Easter Eggers, 3 Barred Rock, 3 Welsummer, 2 Buff Orpington, 2 White Leghorn, 2 Brown Leghorn, 3 Gold Sex Links, 2 Delaware, 1 Mixed Maran. And a partridge in a pear tree... (just kidding on the partridge).

post #4 of 7

3/19/12 at 4:25am

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jdesq1

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The 7 chicks we have left are all doing great; eating and drinking and full of life! I think I will wait until these chicks are old enough to go to the coop and then possibly pick up a few more. We are relieved.

post #5 of 7

3/19/12 at 5:54am

ButchGood

Location: Central Texas
Joined: 3/2012
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Did you contact the hatchery and let them know about the loss? They should at the very least give you some store credit for your next order.

7 Australorps, 6 Buff Orpingtons, 1 production red, 1 young bared rock roo, 1 pair of Old English Game Bantams, 4 bantam hens, 4 Freakin' cats, (RIP Cookie) best dog ever, 1 dog sky(smartsmartsmart), and a variety of new chicks.