heathercara
Chirping
Hi, everyone,
This is my first time ever raising chicks. I picked them up yesterday at 8 am. I thought I did everything - the brooder was warmed up and ready to go, and I have the Brinsea heat plate (warm and functioning well). I put paper towels in the bottom so they can figure out what's food and what's not. I'll switch to pine shavings in 1-3 days. The chicks received electrolytes in their water, and it's changed multiple times per day. They are in a climate-controlled room indoors between 72-74 (I have a temperature gun that I use to take the temps) with windows for light. I have a nice, large brooder with no drafts.
One chick didn't make the trip, a second didn't make the day, another didn't make the night, and one is actively dying right now. I've tried everything - electrolyte water, small bits of warmed yogurt, egg yolk, anything as a last-ditch effort, but I know she won't make it.
I ordered from Chickens from Backyards. They gave me 4 extra chicks, which is good because I've had 4 that have died! Is this normal??? The others are fine, cheeping, out and about, eating, and looking generally healthy.
Is this what happens when you order from a hatchery? I know travel is stressful, but this seems bad - almost 1/3 have died. Is this a bad hatchery? I looked at driving, but for all the breeds that I wanted together, I'd have to drive out of state (would be an overnight trip) which wouldn't work because you need the brooder set-up.
Thoughts? I'm really at a loss. I'm doing okay, but what a bummer!
This is my first time ever raising chicks. I picked them up yesterday at 8 am. I thought I did everything - the brooder was warmed up and ready to go, and I have the Brinsea heat plate (warm and functioning well). I put paper towels in the bottom so they can figure out what's food and what's not. I'll switch to pine shavings in 1-3 days. The chicks received electrolytes in their water, and it's changed multiple times per day. They are in a climate-controlled room indoors between 72-74 (I have a temperature gun that I use to take the temps) with windows for light. I have a nice, large brooder with no drafts.
One chick didn't make the trip, a second didn't make the day, another didn't make the night, and one is actively dying right now. I've tried everything - electrolyte water, small bits of warmed yogurt, egg yolk, anything as a last-ditch effort, but I know she won't make it.
I ordered from Chickens from Backyards. They gave me 4 extra chicks, which is good because I've had 4 that have died! Is this normal??? The others are fine, cheeping, out and about, eating, and looking generally healthy.
Is this what happens when you order from a hatchery? I know travel is stressful, but this seems bad - almost 1/3 have died. Is this a bad hatchery? I looked at driving, but for all the breeds that I wanted together, I'd have to drive out of state (would be an overnight trip) which wouldn't work because you need the brooder set-up.
Thoughts? I'm really at a loss. I'm doing okay, but what a bummer!