Are sick chicks an everyday occurance?

[wordgirl]

One thing i will say, and others may not agree but, MPC is a middleman of sorts and will buy chicks from other hatcheries to sell to you. This extra day or so may make them a bit worse for wear

I have heard similar things about them being a middleman, but when I asked them this year where my chicks would ship from, they told me their hatching facility was in Ohio. Maybe they have their own facility now?

 

[MissE]

I've only had to cull one sick chick. I did have a couple die before one week old. These were all meat birds and this was out of a total of 80 chicks over a three year span.

I ordered 15 layers that will be a year old in April. I lost two of the Australorps between 22-24 weeks to causes unknown, but all 15 thrived as chicks.

 

[Waters-flock]

One thing i will say, and others may not agree but, MPC is a middleman of sorts and will buy chicks from other hatcheries to sell to you. This extra day or so may make them a bit worse for wear

Oh, I didn’t know that. Thanks for sharing. Hopefully, it will turn out okay but I’ll know for next time. The reviews seemed mostly positive.

 

[Waters-flock]

I have heard similar things about them being a middleman, but when I asked them this year where my chicks would ship from, they told me their hatching facility was in Ohio. Maybe they have their own facility now?

I spoke to a woman in their office and she was very helpful when we had to postpone the delivery. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.

 

[springvalley123]

I would try not to over-think things. There are some real experts here, and some people who do way more than you need to. The important thing is to do the basics and be humane if anything does go wrong. Have the brooder set up and temperature-stable, be ready to have warm water to drink and food. If mail order, cover the shavings/straw with paper towels until the chicks learn food vs bedding. Be flexible with the temperature in case they throw off more body heat than you planned. And if you have small kids or other sensitive people, be aware there may be some DOA chicks no matter how timely the box arrives at the post office. Then if there are problems, by all means post here and the pros can answer it. Good luck!

 

[Kirkwooder]

Expect at least 10% dead loss with any mail order chicks. I've ordered thousands through the mail over the last 20 years, and 10% seems pretty normal. I have never ordered less than 25 at a time, and I have never been shipped less than 27. I think most hatcheries know that 10% loss is normal and over ship to compensate. Every time I order 100, I generally end up getting 107-115. There are generally a couple DOA and a few more die in the first few days, leaving me with really close to the number I ordered to begin with.

After the first week the chicks health is all on the keeper. Properly brooded, fed, and watered chicks turn into healthy chickens. Proper flock management produces a healthy flock. Keep a good well designed coop, provide the proper nutrition, and give them a healthy dose of sunshine and fresh air everyday, and health issues will be kept to a minimum.

With all of that being said, learn to cull. Ruthlessly! One sick hen lost is better than loosing the whole flock.

 

[Waters-flock]

I would try not to over-think things. There are some real experts here, and some people who do way more than you need to. The important thing is to do the basics and be humane if anything does go wrong. Have the brooder set up and temperature-stable, be ready to have warm water to drink and food. If mail order, cover the shavings/straw with paper towels until the chicks learn food vs bedding. Be flexible with the temperature in case they throw off more body heat than you planned. And if you have small kids or other sensitive people, be aware there may be some DOA chicks no matter how timely the box arrives at the post office. Then if there are problems, by all means post here and the pros can answer it. Good luck!

Overthinking is my specialty in life but I appreciate the great advice.

 

[janiedoe]

Overthinking is a habit of mine too.
I've never ordered from MPC but they have excellent reviews. I've actually never ordered chicks through the mail. I have plenty of friends who have, and they have made small orders & all the chicks were delivered alive.
Mine (that weren't hatched here) came from local sources such as feed & chain stores but they were shipped originally. I did drive to Idealpoultry and pick up chicks last fall.
I know losses are considered "acceptable" for most people and that hatcheries will " replace" a chick but I understand your concern is for the welfare of the individual chick.
You are doing all that you can to prepare for them. I want to wish you the best of luck.

 

[wordgirl]

Overthinking is my specialty in life but I appreciate the great advice.

Same here.... I currently have my new hover heater hanging from our laundry rack with a thermometer and a bowl of water (which I’m checking periodically with my grill thermometer) under it to test it before my chicks come...at the end of April.

 

[wordgirl]

In other words, you’ll be just fine in the chick-raising community.