4/10 Cackle Hatch Date, 4/11 arrival - Two sick, one died

[ChickyChickyGirl]

On 4/11 I received an order of chicks from Cackle, hatched 4/10.

- 4/11: 2 were DOA
- 4/13: 1 was lethargic since her arrival her, and she finally died. Same breed as the two DOA.
- 4/12 pm: another chick looked like it broke its neck. It was writhing on its back and when I set it on its feet, it wasn’t able to stand, just writhing on it side. It couldn’t lift it’s head. Truly Awful! I culled it.
- 4/14 PM: Another chick is listless. It was fine in the morning. What is going on here?!?

Help!!


- 4/14 PM: I dosed the water with Nutrí-drench and gave the sick one a drop into its beak.


Note: This is the third time I’ve raised chicks. The heater is a square “safe” heater large enough for 30 chicks, raised slightly on one side so the 20 chicks can pick a side. I’m not sure how high or low to put it, as I figure the chicks would let me know by their location.


This a photo of the sick OE. She could stand when I set her up. She’s back under the heater. I can’t separate her bc I don’t have an extra heater.

 

[Eggcessive]

Give the chicks a couple of drops of the NutriDrench orally, as well as the water. It sounds like poor handling in the mail or shipping stress. Look for problems in other chicks, and get them drinking. Check each chick for pasty butt daily. Sorry that you have had deaths. I would let the hatchery know. Hopefully, there won’t be any more deaths.

 

[ChickyChickyGirl]

I just fed the sick OE warm watered down chick food with some egg yolk and she ate it. Do I do this hourly until she’s better, less the evening?

Note: only this one OE chick is sick, the other ones all seem healthy (except one with an eye issue).

 

[Eggcessive]

If they are alert and walking around, let them try to eat and drink on their own. I would have the sick one eat and drink very hour or so, as often as you can until she is alert and doing better. If they have a brooder lamp, they should eat and drink during the night as well.

 

[ChickyChickyGirl]

The sick one died in my hand.

Sigh.

Could this be MG or cocci?

 

[Eggcessive]

It is not likely at 4 days old. Probably shipping stress or a weak hatch, but it sounds like they were treated roughly. Sorry about the chick.

 

[Shadow Source]

Did you order bantams with standards? How many did you order?

 

[Shadow Source]

I had a really bad experience ordering bantams with standards.

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

I had a really bad experience ordering bantams with standards.

Why was your experience bad? I just ordered 4 standards with 14 bantams

 

[ChickNanny13]

Sorry for your losses
A friend of mine ordered 15 chicks + a rare chick from McMurray. They were sent out Apr 9/Tues, Dept of Ag received them Apr 11/Thurs removed a dead one, held over for inspection, sent to our Island/Post Office Apr 12/Fri. She ordered in the past, minimum was 25, this time was 15 so she's wondering if more would have been better. Shipping is never easy on babies McMurray will be replacing but still it's another long travel time and weather conditions play a big part with shipping/handling. You'd think those handling would be a bit more "careful" & expedite the transfer