Buckeye Breed Thread

[knittychickadee]

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This sounds like chicks that had a rough time in shipping. If they traveled through the midwest to get to you, we had some bad weather- very cold and ferocious winds. Chicks will die for several days after arrival when this happens, even when they seem normal when you first get them.

 

[rodandstafffarm]

I did try adding a probiotic to water, but will try plain yogurt. There is only one left who now seems to be showing the same "signs". Yes, everyone got two drinks before going on to the next chick upon arrival. The problem is, I will put crumbles in front of them, even help them to drink, but they won't take the solids, and only take a sip and then lay back down under the light. They seem listless and dazed and then they just lay down and die. The rest currently seem fine, but I thought that yesterday and the day before too. Each day hoping there aren't going to be anymore. I'm hoping this is the last one. Certainly be happy to try scrambled eggs, someone else had mentioned hardboiled is one better than the other?

 

[Pathfinders]

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It sounds as if they got chilled during shipment. When that happens, you'll see die off over a period of several days. Please check them carefully for pasted vent, and clear the vents regularly (at least twice a day) if you see this happening (as it often does with chilled chicks.)

This time of year it can be a real crap shoot with regards to temps. Some days it's hot, some cold. I waffle between shipping with a heater pack and without. Don't want them to be too hot either, that will kill them as well.

So sorry this has happened. Did you put sugar or molasses in the water? I prefer that to Avia Charge, frankly. I used Avia Charge back when I first got into birds, and never saw it do any good. You'd be better off getting the cheap electrolite packets from the feed store. We put about 1/4 teaspoon (just a pinch) per gallon of water, and it works well.

Let us know how the rest do.

 

[rodandstafffarm]

Thanks for that insight. Perhaps it was the cold. They came from Ohio to NYS. I have seen a few pasted vents (about 4) and have been cleaning and watching. Oddly the worst case I've had so far was the largest and most hardy of all of them, if that makes any sense. The little guys that are dying off don't seem to have the problem. I watched the carefully and their bowel movements seemed normal. Maybe it's all just stress.

 

[BuckeyeDave]

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Well it looks like the vote is in, the cold got to them, that is a shipping issue, I will ship 12 additional chicks in May/June.

 

[rodandstafffarm]

Thanks Dave, I appreciate it greatly. Was beginning to wonder if I had made the right breed choice and I had really had my heart set on the buckeyes. The suspect one did die during the night. I see everyone else up drinking and moving about.

I'm enclosing a link to a web album showing my brooders (the second box shows my guinea fowl). The chicks were all evenly spread out until they heard my camera clicking. Hard to see well (sorry not so good light in there) but you can see everyone seems basically comfortable. There's a second waterer farther back in the box you can't see in the photo.

https://picasaweb.google.com/117800273969540585508/Chickbrooders#5597240206889636114

 

[Pathfinders]

Just listed my first Sale item here, if anyone is looking for chicks (and isn't already signed up with Jim or Dave), see this link:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=6193804#p6193804

Happy to ship pretty much anywhere in the US.

 

[BuckeyeDave]

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I'd buy them even if I was signed up with me or Jimmy, Laura has some great birds!!!

Laura, sign me up for some chicks when things warm up!!!

 

[Pathfinders]

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I'd buy them even if I was signed up with me or Jimmy, Laura has some great birds!!!

Laura, sign me up for some chicks when things warm up!!!

You're on my list dear!

And hey, I just got off the phone with eBay, and verified that we can sell Gift Certificates there that can be redeemed for chicks. Whoot! Before I thought all I could do was sell hatching eggs there (which I am not selling this year), now, with their blessing, I can find a way to market chicks through eBay too. Love that. The more Buckeyes we can get out into the hands of breeders, the happier I am! Let's see if we can move them off the ALBC Threatened list and onto the Watch list. That's my goal...

 

[BuckeyeDave]

Gift certificates.... you little thinking outside the box capitalist you!!!
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My goal is to have a car in every garage and a buckeye in every pot!!!!