New to meat birds

Hey Lazy Gardener,

So far this shipment of 50 broiler chicks I have lost 13 to (we suspect shipping issues) and now the last five to this strange issue. The one pictured was approximently 10 days old. And I just looked in on the remaining 32 and it looks as if two more maybe going down. I did notice that one of them had what looked like blood coming from it rear.

As I stated before they are in a brand new brooding house with all new materials, clean straw and fresh water and water with a vitamin supplement.
The only thing different from years past is the new house, instead of a brooding box.

KWSRetMSgt
Building materials have toxic chemicals in them? Bad food? Cold temperature shocked/damaged their system. My local Rural King stores do not have warm enough bulbs on their chicks and they're all huddled up. Probably loss rate is high for them (for the customer maybe and for sure for the store). I told them and they were to put a higher wattage bulb in for them. People just don't either care or just have no knowledge how sensitive these little lives are.
 
Last edited:
KWSRetMSgt: Was your shipment of chicks the ones that were left overnight in a vehicle by the FedEx guy? If so, I'd not waste any time making a claim for replacement. Best case scenario, the hatchery will duke it out with Fed Ex to see who pays, and you will get a new batch of chicks. So sorry for your loss.
 
Building materials have toxic chemicals in them? Bad food? Cold temperature shocked/damaged their system. My local Rural King stores do not have warm enough bulbs on their chicks and they're all huddled up. Probably loss rate is high for them (for the customer maybe and for sure for the store). I told them and they were to put a higher wattage bulb in for them. People just don't either care or just have no knowledge how sensitive these little lives are.

Yes I agree that "NEW" building materials can have toxic chemicals in them, but I've had about 99% of everything I used at the house for several months as I was building it. The only things purchased they could have any contact with would be the hardboard, I used as an interior finish. and even that is covered with cardboard about 2.5 feet up.

The food is the same as before Non-Soy Non GMO, bought from the same place as the last two years.

And as for the cold that was the only thing out of my control for the first three days, once they arrived, they were immediately placed in a 85+ degree brooder box, with fresh water, and supplemented fresh water.

To date I'm up to 20 chicks gone, that's 2/5 of what I ordered. It's becoming an expensive ordeal.
 
KWSRetMSgt: Was your shipment of chicks the ones that were left overnight in a vehicle by the FedEx guy? If so, I'd not waste any time making a claim for replacement. Best case scenario, the hatchery will duke it out with Fed Ex to see who pays, and you will get a new batch of chicks. So sorry for your loss.

Yes, Lazy Gardener they were some of the animals left over night in freezing temps by Fed Ex. Yeah I had called the hatchery after only losing 3 chicks and 1 Duck and the guy I spoke with told me to wait the max of 4 days and call back with a total lose quantity.

I thought that really sounded strange, but said Ok, and at the 4 day mark, I contacted them again, spoke with a young lady and at the time had a lose quantity of 13 chicks and the 1 duck. I got reimbursed for those about 2 days later.

But since that time I have lost 7 more making the total of 20 chicks and 1 duck. I'm not real sure if I call them again and ask for a refund on the other seven if they'll do it or not.

I "DO" believe what is going on was directly caused by the Fed-Ex ordeal but it's now been 16 days since they were shipped and 13 days since I picked them up at the Post Office.

Also the hatchery stated that, the Fed-Ex company isn't liable for any loses during shipment, but they did insinuate that the driver could be. Nothing like having the company you work for, Throw you under the bus".

So all I can say is "Beware of Fed-Ex" when dealing with live animals. They seem to have people who don't give a RATS A** wheather or not the animals live or die.
somad.gif


But this I do know is if I order anymore, it won't be real early in the spring anymore. Probably nothing earlier then 1 April or later.

Well everyone I hope your chicks are healthy, your hens are laying, and happiness is abound. Have a great one.

KWSRetMSgt
 
But this I do know is if I order anymore, it won't be real early in the spring anymore. Probably nothing earlier then 1 April or later.
Im not to sure what your spring weather is like compared to mine, but I never start my meaties before may 1st. April and March come in like a kitty cat but go out like a Lion. (seem like they will be nice months but always drop that nasty cold unexpectedly)
 
Im not to sure what your spring weather is like compared to mine, but I never start my meaties before may 1st. April and March come in like a kitty cat but go out like a Lion. (seem like they will be nice months but always drop that nasty cold unexpectedly)

Yeah Smitty, your a bit further NORTH then I. I'm in the NORTH of Texas, avg. temps for March usually run 40's over night low to mid 50's during the day. But this year you guys sent us all that extreme cold. I originally from Penna, but been here now 22 years. So for me it's getting to the point if it drops below 60 I'm reaching for a lite jacket. I know, "What a wimp" that's exactly what I called the guys I worked with when I first came down here. Now I guess I'm one of those.
lol.png


Bee good, KWSRetMSgt
 
Yes, Lazy Gardener they were some of the animals left over night in freezing temps by Fed Ex. Yeah I had called the hatchery after only losing 3 chicks and 1 Duck and the guy I spoke with told me to wait the max of 4 days and call back with a total lose quantity.

I thought that really sounded strange, but said Ok, and at the 4 day mark, I contacted them again, spoke with a young lady and at the time had a lose quantity of 13 chicks and the 1 duck. I got reimbursed for those about 2 days later.

But since that time I have lost 7 more making the total of 20 chicks and 1 duck. I'm not real sure if I call them again and ask for a refund on the other seven if they'll do it or not.

I "DO" believe what is going on was directly caused by the Fed-Ex ordeal but it's now been 16 days since they were shipped and 13 days since I picked them up at the Post Office.

Also the hatchery stated that, the Fed-Ex company isn't liable for any loses during shipment, but they did insinuate that the driver could be. Nothing like having the company you work for, Throw you under the bus".

So all I can say is "Beware of Fed-Ex" when dealing with live animals. They seem to have people who don't give a RATS A** wheather or not the animals live or die.
somad.gif


But this I do know is if I order anymore, it won't be real early in the spring anymore. Probably nothing earlier then 1 April or later.

Well everyone I hope your chicks are healthy, your hens are laying, and happiness is abound. Have a great one.

KWSRetMSgt
Nothing ventured, nothing gained about calling the hatchery back regarding the issue. At least talk to them. They may replace the losses, even if they are beyond the 4 day mark, even just for good consumer relations. As far as the Fed ex not being responsible, but the insinuation that the driver could be held liable... If the driver broke company policy, then he should be liable. IMO, that wouldn't be "throwing him under the bus" if he clearly broke company policy. These kinds of issues are why I am hatching my own chicks, and working towards being independent of hatcheries. I do realize that not everybody can do so, but if the folks who could, did, then those who couldn't would have some good local options.
 
Hello everyone, I too, am new to meat birds. I have had laying hens for several years and finally decided to venture into meat birds. I have a variety of dual-purpose breeds (they are 2 weeks old today!) All are doing well so far and are growing pretty fast. Some of the pullets will replace my current laying flock and the rest are freezer bound. But I do have quite a few questions....................

Do I have to separate the girls from the boys?

And if so, at what age would I do that?

How do I know when it is time to slaughter the roosters? I have heard if you wait too long the roosters become tough and don't taste good, is this true?

When can they go out to the run and coop?

Our weather has been very mild--lows in the high 60's, highs in the low 80's with a nice breeze. They are in very large wooden packing crates on my back porch with a hover light - I have been turning the light off during the day and just turning it on for them at night.

The dual purpose breeds I have are 8 Welsummers, 10 Black Langshans, 10 Black Jersey Giants, and 10 Silver Grey Dorkings. Those varieties are straight run and should be approx 50/50 male-female (probably more like 60/40 male female). I also have Buff Orpington, Dominique, Araucana, & Americauna pullets.

Thanks in advance for all your advice..............................
 
Hello everyone, I too, am new to meat birds. I have had laying hens for several years and finally decided to venture into meat birds. I have a variety of dual-purpose breeds (they are 2 weeks old today!) All are doing well so far and are growing pretty fast. Some of the pullets will replace my current laying flock and the rest are freezer bound. But I do have quite a few questions....................

Do I have to separate the girls from the boys?

You can separate when the boys start harassing the girls.

And if so, at what age would I do that?

How do I know when it is time to slaughter the roosters? I have heard if you wait too long the roosters become tough and don't taste good, is this true?

Process the roos when they start harassing the girls. If you can separate the roos from the girls, this will buy you a bit more time, but eventually the rooster drama will make you very anxious to process!

When can they go out to the run and coop?


Our weather has been very mild--lows in the high 60's, highs in the low 80's with a nice breeze. They are in very large wooden packing crates on my back porch with a hover light - I have been turning the light off during the day and just turning it on for them at night.

When they are fully feathered they no longer nead the extra heat. If the temp is in the 80's, they will probably be ok outside with protection during the day w/o heat. Can you give them heat in the coop just at night?

The dual purpose breeds I have are 8 Welsummers, 10 Black Langshans, 10 Black Jersey Giants, and 10 Silver Grey Dorkings. Those varieties are straight run and should be approx 50/50 male-female (probably more like 60/40 male female). I also have Buff Orpington, Dominique, Araucana, & Americauna pullets.

Thanks in advance for all your advice..............................
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom