3 dead chicks in 8 hours. What am I doing wrong?!?

[Cynthia12]

Tha

Thank you. They were shipped Monday, arrived this AM. One dead on pickup. Two more died, a 4th now very weak. no pasty butt. One dead chick had clear oral mucus expell just before dying and one had a bit of red thin stool. It and one other had hard beady crops. Not sure what could lead to that? Bedding with hydrogel was in shipping box. Maybe that?
So, I gave a healthy dose of vit E to the chick splayed out and syringed some sugar water with lytes. She is now on her hocks at least, so good news there.
The health 7 remaining chicks seem to be doing well, drinking and eating.
Thanks again. I will give an update in a bit on weak chick #4

Call them! I had this happen once. I called while some were dying, making sad sounds. I asked the lady..can you hear that? That's the sound they make while they're dieing. She says, yes I can! Asked me what my order was...they sent me more.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Photos of the bloody poop?

I agree, shipping stress. Get fluids into them. Make sure they know where the water, food and heat is.

Did not see your post asking for a pic late last night, long day, sorry.
Two separate chicks made these spots, both died. The first as you see at about 6 O’clock position, there is stool present whereas the first pic there is none. The towel with multiple spots occurred in rapid succession. I did not find wounds on that chick, nor see a prominent umbilical stump.
This morning the remaining chicks look and act healthy. No suspicious red or rusty stools so far.

Much appreciated.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Call them! I had this happen once. I called while some were dying, making sad sounds. I asked the lady..can you hear that? That's the sound they make while they're dieing. She says, yes I can! Asked me what my order was...they sent me more.

I called. Was asked to call them Friday with a final loss count. So far no more passed overnight.
Hatchery can credit or replace so I asked for credit. I may order in summer so I can brood in the coop. But I will likely pick up a few chicks at TSC today as well, depending on what they have. The ages will likely be comparable.
Sorry to hear about your experience. I did not hear crying sounds, but there were some whimpers or weak cheeping. So sad.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Did not see your post asking for a pic late last night, long day, sorry.
Two separate chicks made these spots, both died. The first as you see at about 6 O’clock position, there is stool present whereas the first pic there is none. The towel with multiple spots occurred in rapid succession. I did not find wounds on that chick, nor see a prominent umbilical stump.
This morning the remaining chicks look and act healthy. No suspicious red or rusty stools so far.

Much appreciated.

I'm sorry that you lost a couple more.
Not sure what was going on there. The drops of blood may have been coming from the vent, injury or something else.

Glad to hear the others are all doing ok, hopefully you won't have any more issues.

 

[LilRedmamma]

I use a heat plate and the ambient room temp is 70 and crate is well ventilated. They can freely move from the heat. The other chicks huddle under heat then come out periodically to eat/drink.

So sorry for your chickies... I lost one, my first batch 2 years ago. Dunno the cause, but if they are from a retail or hatchery, it should be policy for you to get replacements. It's mho, a hot water bottle wrapped in flannel or old towel is very comforting for chicks seeking warmth, maybe try? I changed out hot water @4 hours. They loved to play on it.

 

[Eggcessive]

Let us know how they get along.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Let us know how they get along.

Update: chicks look good, no lethargy. Some runny stools from a couple but no blood, stool is brown. No more dead birds thankfully, and all remain active. I also removed the aluminum tin under the watered lest they peck it and ingest a fragment.

One cockerel with mild pasty butt mid morning.. it was not there at 7 am unless I missed an early case. They all huddled under heat plate all night, very calm (only a dim night light). Maybe too warm then.
I am treating them all for coccidiosis to be safe. After treatment I plan to get them on a probiotic.
I got the last bottle of nutridrench in TSC.. it was opened but otherwise looked ok. Hope I don’t regret that purchase but supplies here are getting a bit scarce.
Thanks for all the consults @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock and all y’all other great BYC peeps.

I’ll keep updating periodically through the weekend.

 

[Iluveggers]

Just so you know, chicks should not get vitamin supplements when treating with Corid. The vitamins will counter the medicine. You can give vitamin supplements once treatment is finished.

 

[Lor]

Good to hear the rest of the chicks seem to be doing well.
Maybe something happened during shipping. Rough handling of the box or something.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I am treating them all for coccidiosis to be safe. After treatment I plan to get them on a probiotic.
I got the last bottle of nutridrench in TSC.. it was opened but otherwise looked ok. Hope I don’t regret that purchase but supplies here are getting a bit scarce.

Your chicks were Vaccinated For Coccidiosis right? Treating them will negate that, just so you know.

If you are giving Amprolium (Corid), then don't give the Nutri-Drench during the course of treatment.
In case you need it and to make sure you are giving the correct dose. Amprolium (Corid) Liquid Dose is 2tsp or Powdered Dose is 1 1/2tsp per gallon of water given for 5-7 days as the only source of drinking water.