Bad Shipping?

[Ogremeyer]

My kids show chickens locally for 4-H. We order chicks for the pullet and cockerel classes every year from Murray McMurray. Most years, we either have very stressed chicks (we live in North Dakota and order relatively early due to when the fair is, so winter stress is a real concern for us) or very healthy chicks. This year has me confused. Our chicks arrived and seemed to be very healthy. They were energetic, eating, drinking, etc. right away. But they suddenly get lethargic and die. And I mean quickly, within an hour or two. We have lost 2/3rds of our order. Is this just shipping stress or is there something else going on? Usually when we've had losses due to shipping stress, the chicks are lethargic right off the bat, not energetic. They don't have fecal crust on their vents or any other obvious signs of poor health other than sudden lethargy. We ordered Buff Orpingtons, Dark Brahmas, Red Leghorns, and Gold and Silver Hamburgs. The Leghorns died off first, followed by the Orpingtons. The Brahmas have fared the best and the Hamburgs have had about half die. Thanks for the help!

 

[talkinboutchickens]

That's so odd, I'm very sorry for your losses I would give your chicks electrolytes or sugar water ASAP. Never used it before but I've heard great things about NutriDrench for baby chicks as well. Also watch this video (very helpful recipe):

 

[Ogremeyer]

We are giving electrolytes. Thanks for the the video idea. I'll give that a try

 

[talkinboutchickens]

We are giving electrolytes. Thanks for the the video idea. I'll give that a try

Of course, and good luck! I came across another video while on YouTube:

 

[KF0002]

I think the general consensus I have heard has been that Red Leghorns from MM generally lack vigor and aren’t strong enough to handle the stress of shipping. Which, to be fair, is no easy trip for newborn chicks. I personally ordered Red Leghorns, White Leghorns, and Brown Leghorns from MM last spring and the Whites and Browns all did exceptionally well, minus losing one or two in the first few days. However, out of all of my Red Leghorns, I only ended up with 2 cockerels. I ordered like 8 pullets and 2 cockerels of the Red Leghorns, so all of the pullet chicks died either during shipping or by the next day. MM re-shipped to make up for the Red Leghorns I lost and those also all died during shipping, with the little mystery chick as the only survivor of the trip, a Buff Cochin cockerel.

I am not bashing MM as they have been wonderful to us over the years and all of the chicks or poults we have ordered in the past have all done great, with the exception of the Red Leghorns. That is simply due to the very small gene pool where the variety is pretty rare.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

How are your chicks?

 

[McChooky]

I added leghorns because they are hardy and excellent layers but I only trust the brown leghorn.Its been around a long time and is healthy.New breeds can be very risky to add