Oh, this is a bummer of a first post for me. I'm sorry to say we ordered 5 chicks via mail and have lost all but two. I'll withhold the name of the hatchery because I doubt it's related to them, but here's the summary:
5 chicks ordered, 6 shipped. This hatchery puts in a warming pad for orders less than 25 which indeed kept the box nice and warm. The USPS took 2 nights to ship them so they were sent on Tuesday and didn't arrive until Thursday morning. Upon arrival, 1 chick a red star was already dead. Our austrolorp was lethargic and droopy and died a few hours later. One SL Wyandotte chick seemed ok initially but never went for water. I kept her on my lap with a heating pad throughout the evening trying to water her with a teeny spoon. She showed signs of improvement but died the next morning. That left us with three, 2 buff orps and a Ameracauna all of which seemed ok, although I never saw the amer. drink water. Sure enough, last night she too got very droopy and was dead by morning. The orps are doing great, eating drinking, pooping, playing. We've got our fingers crossed.
The brooder is a galvanized tub with wood shavings from a local feed store that moves a lot of chicken feed so I'm pretty sure it's not cedar. The bedding is covered with a layer of burlap for now.
Unfortunately, I think the first day's casualties were due to the trauma of a 2 night shipment and a brand new faulty thermometer. It was reading in the upper 90's but just didn't feel that warm. I replaced it and sure enough it was reading 20 degrees warmer than reality. The poor gals were putting up with 75 degree temps, although interestingly never huddled together. I fixed this problem yesterday but even with the warmer temperatures, the last chick acted sick and died in full 95 degree heat.
We're all a bit traumatized from the losses and think we'll find a local supplier rather than going through the mail for small orders again. These are our first chicks and would really appreciate feedback if anything in our setup doesn't sound right. Also, what is the likelyhood that chicks separated by three or 4 weeks would co-mingle happily? Should we separate the brooder for a few days if we go that route?
Thanks for whatever help or advice you have!
5 chicks ordered, 6 shipped. This hatchery puts in a warming pad for orders less than 25 which indeed kept the box nice and warm. The USPS took 2 nights to ship them so they were sent on Tuesday and didn't arrive until Thursday morning. Upon arrival, 1 chick a red star was already dead. Our austrolorp was lethargic and droopy and died a few hours later. One SL Wyandotte chick seemed ok initially but never went for water. I kept her on my lap with a heating pad throughout the evening trying to water her with a teeny spoon. She showed signs of improvement but died the next morning. That left us with three, 2 buff orps and a Ameracauna all of which seemed ok, although I never saw the amer. drink water. Sure enough, last night she too got very droopy and was dead by morning. The orps are doing great, eating drinking, pooping, playing. We've got our fingers crossed.
The brooder is a galvanized tub with wood shavings from a local feed store that moves a lot of chicken feed so I'm pretty sure it's not cedar. The bedding is covered with a layer of burlap for now.
Unfortunately, I think the first day's casualties were due to the trauma of a 2 night shipment and a brand new faulty thermometer. It was reading in the upper 90's but just didn't feel that warm. I replaced it and sure enough it was reading 20 degrees warmer than reality. The poor gals were putting up with 75 degree temps, although interestingly never huddled together. I fixed this problem yesterday but even with the warmer temperatures, the last chick acted sick and died in full 95 degree heat.
We're all a bit traumatized from the losses and think we'll find a local supplier rather than going through the mail for small orders again. These are our first chicks and would really appreciate feedback if anything in our setup doesn't sound right. Also, what is the likelyhood that chicks separated by three or 4 weeks would co-mingle happily? Should we separate the brooder for a few days if we go that route?
Thanks for whatever help or advice you have!
