Chick mortality rates - what do I do?

[Robert M]

Thanks for the post Robert......The medicated foods do contain a mild antibiotic, at least what I can buy here does......My brand does not contain Amprol.......You said that the Mormons, Mennonites, and The Amish have been fighting this for years.......Some do wanting a more "natural" product (eggs and meat)......Don't know why that lady took offense .....To each his own....thanks for your post......Larry, ....AT HOME IN ALABAMA.

There are some people who'd rather mind other peoples' business.
You're welcome. I have hatched and raised hundreds of chickens for years and it DOES matter who you buy them from and how you run your coops. Cleanliness id number ONE. Baby chicks are very susceptible to virtually everything, especially heat and pneumonia and germs in dirty environments.

Are you in Southern AL, maybe in the Elba area?

 

[jmartin0411]

Gentlemen, There is no need for rudeness. Honestly opinions on medicated feed are vast and many, and deciding one way or another is up to the individual.

I do agree that sourcing matters, and cleanliness is of utmost importance. We keep our brooders full of fresh and dry bedding, changing every two days at the worst, and ensuring we do the same for our outdoor flocks. I'll be so happy when my new coops and runs are finished too. It will make life much easier on that front.

 

[Robert M]

Gentlemen, There is no need for rudeness. Honestly opinions on medicated feed are vast and many, and deciding one way or another is up to the individual.

I do agree that sourcing matters, and cleanliness is of utmost importance. We keep our brooders full of fresh and dry bedding, changing every two days at the worst, and ensuring we do the same for our outdoor flocks. I'll be so happy when my new coops and runs are finished too. It will make life much easier on that front.

GENTLEMEN?? It wasn't "gentlemen" being rude, it was the other one.

 

[Jensownzoo]

You need information. Should you have the unfortunate luck to lose another chick, send it off to your state veterinary diagnostic lab for necropsy. Hopefully the results will give you the information you need to make necessary changes. Or give you information about circumstances that perhaps you cannot change, but can plan for (such as endemic disease like Marek's on your property).

 

[jmartin0411]

Would Marek's not be something in the soil? I have used new housing for each batch of chicks. twice plastic and once metal.

 

[jmartin0411]

Thank you so much.

Since I have smaller numbers, I don't have a large brooder set up. I first tried large plastic bins with no lids inside our spare bedroom with heat lamps. The lamp covers those pretty well without much loss of heat from one end to the other. Temperature maintains in the mid/high 80's so they're definitely warm. We only moved two outside for flying reasons, and both thrived outside. On the first batch I had the plastic bins with 7 chicks, we lost four in that set up and I honestly considered suffocation on the first two because they all would pile atop one another to sleep. But then number three occurred. The cuckoos and mix runs I have had in a metal wash basin roughly 2 feet across with wire across the top and the heat lamp. Temperatures maintained about the same. We are not feeding medicated feed. I have gotten all but our first two from a breeder nearby who seems to have great stock, great hatch rates and their chicks thrive with them.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Good morning, welcome to byc.

I am sorry for all the trouble you've had! The other 2 posters gave you great suggestions already.

I was also thinking about recommending fermented feed. It's worth looking into since it sounds like you aren't scared to put in a little extra effort. I would say you could do occasional electrolytes or acv water. And if you decide to do FF, it won't work with medicated feed, though I'm sure you would have discovered that when you look into it,

I thinking loosing an occasional chick might be normal (I haven't yet). But you definitely seem to be having a problem. I'm not sure if it could be a vitamin deficiency but if you're feeding a starter feed, it should have all the nutrients they need assuming you aren't overdoing treats.

I don't think a necropsy is very expensive. Especially compared to the cost of chick replacements and the emotional toll the loss is taking on you. It may be your best tool to solve this.

Best wishes!

 

[jmartin0411]

I am definitely going to try fermented feed since it seems to be a very highly recommended way of feeding babies! Looking up guides now. I've also moved our remaining chick to a different container until I can sanitize the brooder and will be getting new food and water bowl today for him. The hard part now is he is alone.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Well goodness lol. Yes our dog is a part of our family. We tried integrating him with our indoor dogs and they won't have it. He BROKE the entire fencing off the frame with bolts every 6 inches. I'm not sure how else to bolt a fence?? BUT our dog isn't just going to be ditched. Thanks. He will be going to live with my mother in law, who can bring him inside and give him more time and energy and doesn't have prey animals. He is deaf and he has predator instincts. I have a two year old and a farm to take care of. Excuse me for not being made of three people and endless energy. This was meant to be about my chicks, not my pup, but I promise, I have his best interests at heart.

Wooh, I am glad to here that fur baby will be going with family. It is really difficult to deal with some animal behaviors. And it sounds like you are blessed with a good family and them with you! Thank you for not responding in an ugly manor. I certainly understand having priorities and more stuff to do than 3 of me could accomplish in my whole life time.

You should not be losing that many chicks. Your brooder set is likely the culprit and far too hot for them. If a small brooder you need little heat. A 60-75W incandescent bulb is more than sufficient for plastic totes. The idea is to only heat a part of the brooder, keep heat to one side so they have escape from it if too hot. With small brooders much attention to this detail is needed as heat lamps are far too much heat. If they are raised 2 ft in air to compensate then the entire brooder is same heat leaving no cooler area for birds to escape to. Listless chicks is symptom of too much heat.

I did also consider that a possibility. When I first got my 250w bulb and put it in the box and closed the lid a little (I was newer back then), I checked 10 minutes later and the chicks were freaked because it was 120 degrees in there! Then I realized that was as high as the thermometer went. I got luck that time. But you would probably notice them holding their wings out and panting. My first brooder didn't have enough space for a cool area and didn't realize I needed it. I think it hindered their feathering speed a little. I did end up going to 150w red bulb and then 100w regular as I was weaning them off heat.

Sounds like you have the best interest not only for the dog, but your whole family. That is not heartless or cold, that is Love!

Have a great day, and good luck to your family!

 

[AllynTal]

... You might want to consider switching to a heating pad brooder, and I highly recommend that you try fermented feed. The behavior you mention could be related to chicks being chilled, especially if you move them outside without ANY heat before 4 - 5 weeks old, perhaps the chicks are too warm. There could be something toxic in their environment, even air born. (It may be just enough to affect the weakest ones)

I agree. I don't know if that is the cause for the high death rate, but I believe more chicks are killed by well-intentioned people using the ****** brooder lamp than any other cause. I brooder mine outside with the heating pad. They're less stressed and can regulate their warmth needs.