I ordered 35 Black Australorps from Meyers Hatchery that were delivered December 4th. Within the first 5 days we had lost at least 10 of them. I had ordered these to replace a bunch that a fox had killed. So, I ordered more to replace the ones that died too- they came the following week.
So, all together I had 70 chickens, I believe i am down to 30 now. They keep dying. Some are strong and growing fine, a bunch look like they are maybe 3 weeks old. They are not growing. But even a few of the larger strong ones are dying. I am at a loss. Did I just get a genetic breeding issue?
I have raised chickens for a while and have had about 200 babies though rotation on our farm. I understand a small baby dying- a few days in. But I have NEVER lost a chick at 2 1/2 months- let alone one after another. Today my girls were walking around with a little hen and she has labored breathing and her eyes are shut. Another one will bite the dust today.
Are BA a hard breed to raise? I have had it all- Silkies, RIR, SLW, PR, EEs, BR, ISAs, Polish.... and this has never happened.
None of my other 40 are dying- and they are all together. Just these babies. I even have babies that a mama hatched 2 weeks older (5 of them) and they are all still alive and thriving.
So, all together I had 70 chickens, I believe i am down to 30 now. They keep dying. Some are strong and growing fine, a bunch look like they are maybe 3 weeks old. They are not growing. But even a few of the larger strong ones are dying. I am at a loss. Did I just get a genetic breeding issue?
I have raised chickens for a while and have had about 200 babies though rotation on our farm. I understand a small baby dying- a few days in. But I have NEVER lost a chick at 2 1/2 months- let alone one after another. Today my girls were walking around with a little hen and she has labored breathing and her eyes are shut. Another one will bite the dust today.
Are BA a hard breed to raise? I have had it all- Silkies, RIR, SLW, PR, EEs, BR, ISAs, Polish.... and this has never happened.
None of my other 40 are dying- and they are all together. Just these babies. I even have babies that a mama hatched 2 weeks older (5 of them) and they are all still alive and thriving.
