Am I doing something wrong? Hatchery chicks are dying :(

[Mosey2003]

The problem with zip ties is you're already at a point where you're gonna have a really hard time getting a scissor or sidecutter in there to cut it off, and that thing is gonna be good and tight within a week. They're alright on a bigger bird since you can leave them much looser, although I still prefer actual legbands as I've had zip ties tighten inexplicably on their own.

 

[WVduckchick]

I am so happy for your chicks are doing great!! Do you have pics? I need a positive boost .

With this batch I am starting to get angry with myself. Why did I buy through a hatchery? Is that the reason the chicks are weak? I am hoping to hatch my own chicks with the survivors, if any . I want to have strong, healthy outdoor chickens

Pics? Of course! lol
Hatchery birds aren't all bad, we all start somewhere. If you have any interest in incubating, I suggest finding hatching eggs. Its so much fun!

These are cream legbar chicks from eggs from my flock, it was my first test of my girls eggs. The broodies are frizzle bantam cochins, seems like I always have at least one of them that is broody! I currently have 3!

I still would like to keep track of who is who. I read on here people find this the best way if you check regularly on how tight the band is. What would you recommend instead? I really can;t keep them apart

I've used the zip ties, but you definitely have to watch them. Or the other options Mosey mentioned may work for you. Feather legged breeds are the worst for watching the zip ties. I forgot about one, and as his leg grew, the skin grew around the zip tie until he could barely walk. I had totally forgotten one was still banded, so I wasn't paying attention to him. I had to surgically remove it from under his skin. Not pretty. But he lived and did fine afterwards.

As they get older, you may want to check out wing bands, if necessary.

 

[Mosey2003]

Pretty sure wing bands could be attached at this age. I don't suggest them as most don't like the idea of them. And I've never personally used them, so can't really offer an informed opinion.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Allot of hatcheries this year have bad cocci it is treatable with corid and any new birds you buy id treat them right away incase thats what I did when I ordered chicks Id rather have cocci then someones bird that carries a respiratory infection

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Meyer in Ohio

If your in texas you should of ordered through ideal poultry they are in texas

 

[HERSHORTNESS]

Could it be shipping stress? I got mine from Ideal Poultry in Cameron texas. I live in Iowa. And they were only in transit for just over 24 hours. All mine thrived and were really healthy. They went through phases of watery and smelly and solid poop, so I'm not sure that is a problem. I also ordered mine at the end of July so during shipment they didnt get too cold.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I agree, treat with Corid.
They may be suffering from shipping stress.
The coughing/sneezing is concerning....how much ventilation do they have?

Something else I would do in addition to treating them is put them on puppy pads and remove the pelleted bedding for now.

Electrolytes and/or vitamins the first few days that chicks arrive should be fine, but that poop is very mucousy so Corid is the way to go here.

Also if you have the bag of starter - check the mill date on the bag, I wonder if your feed is old or moldy. I know where I live, organic feed is not that popular, so I see very old dates on those bags sometimes.

 

[OasiVerde]

I agree, treat with Corid.
They may be suffering from shipping stress.
The coughing/sneezing is concerning....how much ventilation do they have?

Something else I would do in addition to treating them is put them on puppy pads and remove the pelleted bedding for now.

Electrolytes and/or vitamins the first few days that chicks arrive should be fine, but that poop is very mucousy so Corid is the way to go here.

Also if you have the bag of starter - check the mill date on the bag, I wonder if your feed is old or moldy. I know where I live, organic feed is not that popular, so I see very old dates on those bags sometimes.

I started them on Corid today.
The mill date on the bag is 01 2018. Is that good?

 

[OasiVerde]

Could it be shipping stress? I got mine from Ideal Poultry in Cameron texas. I live in Iowa. And they were only in transit for just over 24 hours. All mine thrived and were really healthy. They went through phases of watery and smelly and solid poop, so I'm not sure that is a problem. I also ordered mine at the end of July so during shipment they didnt get too cold.

I am so happy that all your chicks were healthy and you didn;t have to go through all this stress. I am not ordering online anymore (I have never heard of Ideal before, but if I would order through them I can drive and pick them up). I guess I am learning it the hard way I am hoping that from now on I can raise my own chicks with broody hens.

 

[OasiVerde]

If your in texas you should of ordered through ideal poultry they are in texas

I have never heard of them before. Found their website. If I order through them, I can drive and pick the chicks up. No need for shipping stress.