chick challenges

[funnyfoshay]

We received our first baby chicks from Ohio. We ordered 2 Brahmas, 2 EEs 1 white cochin and 1 lavender orpington. Our coop is planned and will be built in a few weeks. I spent many hours researching and reading up over the past few weeks but despite feeling prepared we are struggling! 3 of our chicks were dead within hours of arriving in our care (one was DOA and 2 were barely breathing). We have 3 survivors and due to great service from the hatchery the 3 perished chicks will be replaced within 3 weeks. We have one which may be a rooster (suspiciously more aggressive and outgoing than the other 2) and one had pasty butt which now looks like a prolapsed vent! This little chick is so adorable. I am going to try preparation H and vaseline and hope fingers crossed that this resolves.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Where are you located? Shipping chicks this early in the spring can be hard on them as it's a bit too cold for them especially small orders. I always put some brown sugar in my water for quick energy their first week, one teaspoon to a quart of water, otherwise others use electrolytes. Some shipped chicks can arrive with low blood sugar and need a boost.

Pasty butt happens. Sometimes it's from chicks being too warm. I had one last year who had troubles, and prolapse slightly too. It eventually resolved itself by 3 months of age.

Outgoing chicks aren't always males. Females can be feisty too.

 

[funnyfoshay]

Where are you located? Shipping chicks this early in the spring can be hard on them as it's a bit too cold for them especially small orders. I always put some brown sugar in my water for quick energy their first week, one teaspoon to a quart of water, otherwise others use electrolytes. Some shipped chicks can arrive with low blood sugar and need a boost.

Pasty butt happens. Sometimes it's from chicks being too warm. I had one last year who had troubles, and prolapse slightly too. It eventually resolved itself by 3 months of age.

Outgoing chicks aren't always males. Females can be feisty too.

Thank you so much for your reply! Sorry about my poor intro post. We are in MA and it is too cold! I have 3 older kids and my husband. We were so excited but this is getting sad and stressful. We are in love with the little chickiesI agree...shipping was clearly rough on these little ones. They were supposed to be overnighted but there was some sort of delay and it took nearly 48 hrs. I hope our little pasty butt is ok. I applied Prep H to the protrusion and Vaseline to the surrounding down to stop the poop sticking so much.

 

[Sphynxlover]

I am so with you! My chicks came from Ohio too. One was on deaths door when they arrived. So far I was able to bring her back but she is still a little wobbly. Two had pasty butt, one worse than the other. Now another one has a giant crop (I am about to post about that since I feel clueless) this chick thing has turned out to be way more stressful than I thought! I also have one that seems a little aggressive. I’m thinking they are just feisty. Good luck with your new babies!

 

[funnyfoshay]

I am so with you! My chicks came from Ohio too. One was on deaths door when they arrived. So far I was able to bring her back but she is still a little wobbly. Two had pasty butt, one worse than the other. Now another one has a giant crop (I am about to post about that since I feel clueless) this chick thing has turned out to be way more stressful than I thought! I also have one that seems a little aggressive. I’m thinking they are just feisty. Good luck with your new babies!

I am an axious worried mother hen. My poor little prolapsed vent is no better this morning. And chick is acting healthy but doesn't want me near that little butt- can't even get a photo!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thank you so much for your reply! Sorry about my poor intro post. We are in MA and it is too cold! I have 3 older kids and my husband. We were so excited but this is getting sad and stressful. We are in love with the little chickiesI agree...shipping was clearly rough on these little ones. They were supposed to be overnighted but there was some sort of delay and it took nearly 48 hrs. I hope our little pasty butt is ok. I applied Prep H to the protrusion and Vaseline to the surrounding down to stop the poop sticking so much.

Next time, if there's a next time for you to order chicks, wait a few more extra months to get them shipped. It's definitely worth the wait so it's warmer out. I've never had chicks ship overnight even though it's overnight shipping. It generally takes mine 3 days to arrive. If I ordered this time of year they wouldn't survive either. Hopefully your little one improves.

 

[funnyfoshay]

Next time, if there's a next time for you to order chicks, wait a few more extra months to get them shipped. It's definitely worth the wait so it's warmer out. I've never had chicks ship overnight even though it's overnight shipping. It generally takes mine 3 days to arrive. If I ordered this time of year they wouldn't survive either. Hopefully your little one improves.

I got a couple reassuring emails from mypetchicken.com I have to applaud their service. I also spoke to the poultry guy at the local feed store. Since "Bobby" was acting normal and comfortable they told me to be patient that it is just an inflamed immature skin-probably caused by pasty butt and us trying to keep the vent clear. He said it is more common in breeds with soft down- he was able to ID this chick as my surviving Brahma by the symptoms and the fact that it has down on its legs. So now I know our 2 healthy surviving chicks are our easter eggers- they are definitely the largest (oldest) of the 6 that were shipped I am only guessing because we odered 2 brahmas and a cochin which are bigger birds...but who knows maybe they are like people and can be born small but grow large! So, I bought 2 more chicks at the feed store (barred rocks) and now we have 5 healthy chicks.

 

[mamamage]

i ordered 7 chicks from my pet chicken and all of mine arrived safe and sound on april 4th! that's so weird. it's crazy how many different outcomes you see on here with mailed chicks. mine went all the way from OH to SC! i'm so sorry to hear about your babies

 

[funnyfoshay]

such a saga. my Bobby's butt is a bit improved but his sister is very low energy today and my son just said she is only using one leg to walk!! waah. we need healthy chick vibes. I did put some nutri dench in the water today, thinking about hard boiling an egg for them.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

such a saga. my Bobby's butt is a bit improved but his sister is very low energy today and my son just said she is only using one leg to walk!! waah. we need healthy chick vibes. I did put some nutri dench in the water today, thinking about hard boiling an egg for them.

I prefer scrambled as it incorporates the whole egg better instead of the yolk and white being more separate.