Ohh boy..
About a week ago we received 80 chicks from Meyers in the mail. There was only one weak one when they arrived, but she recovered. Two days after they arrived, a chick was found dead in the brooder. No injuries were found. A day or two after that, there was another one dead in the brooder. Again, no injuries. A day or two after that, another one was found dead. It surprised me that they died after arriving, but I figured it was possible as I have only received chicks in the mail twice before.
Recently, two had been acting weird. They were weak, and one of them walked funny. I don't really know how to describe it, but kinda stiff legged. This morning, she was acting cold and was sitting on her haunches, weirdly upright. I put her in a separate brooder with the other weak one, and a few others.
Now the stiff legged one is currently sleeping undergroundShe was just laying in the brooder, so I picked her up. She was acting unresponsive. She help her legs and wings stiff and twisted her neck backwards.I feel so bad. She was gasping for air, and thrashing around. She died in my hands. Of course it had to be our favorite chick. She was so sweet, and loved to cuddle. She would follow us.
Sorry for rambling. I just felt like I had to share my thoughts with someone.
Is this Mereks? Please tell me it's not. Could this have come from the hatchery? They were given medicated starter, kept in brooder larger than necessary, and had water available at all times, occasionally with Hydro Hen in it(Hydro-Hen - Manna Prowww.mannapro.com › poultry › adult-poultry-care › h...). They had a heat lamp as well, and the pine shavings were clean and dry.
Someone please help me. I'm so stressed.
About a week ago we received 80 chicks from Meyers in the mail. There was only one weak one when they arrived, but she recovered. Two days after they arrived, a chick was found dead in the brooder. No injuries were found. A day or two after that, there was another one dead in the brooder. Again, no injuries. A day or two after that, another one was found dead. It surprised me that they died after arriving, but I figured it was possible as I have only received chicks in the mail twice before.
Recently, two had been acting weird. They were weak, and one of them walked funny. I don't really know how to describe it, but kinda stiff legged. This morning, she was acting cold and was sitting on her haunches, weirdly upright. I put her in a separate brooder with the other weak one, and a few others.
Now the stiff legged one is currently sleeping underground
She was just laying in the brooder, so I picked her up. She was acting unresponsive. She help her legs and wings stiff and twisted her neck backwards.I feel so bad. She was gasping for air, and thrashing around. She died in my hands. Of course it had to be our favorite chick. She was so sweet, and loved to cuddle. She would follow us.Sorry for rambling. I just felt like I had to share my thoughts with someone.
Is this Mereks? Please tell me it's not. Could this have come from the hatchery? They were given medicated starter, kept in brooder larger than necessary, and had water available at all times, occasionally with Hydro Hen in it(Hydro-Hen - Manna Prowww.mannapro.com › poultry › adult-poultry-care › h...). They had a heat lamp as well, and the pine shavings were clean and dry.
Someone please help me. I'm so stressed.
I normally don’t vaccinate, but I may consider it in the future. Thank you very much, I appreciate your advice and sympathy.
