Chick Won't Stand Up

I ordered 25 chicks from McMurray Hatchery and went to pick them up today at the post office this morning. Well, it's the end of the day and we have only 12 left. 13 are officially dead. I believe it's because McMurray shipped them out on Saturday and they probably sat in the cold on Sunday. But we've been nursing the 5 or 6 that need help back to health. But there are a few that won't stand up whatsoever. What do I do?

 

Thank you!

 

I know exactly how you feel. For the 6 in and out, they fell over and were wobbly or would shake. I think its been because its so cold. I basically took those 6 and individually fed them sugar water through an eyedropper and I sat them next to our heater and watched them closely. We still have one that has attempted to get up but still can't entirely stand on his own. When I had them next to the heater, they were a separate box, "quarantined" so to speak. After that we took the ones that had their eyes open or who chirped and could stand on their own back with the others. Eventually they all found the water and the crumbles (dip their beak in the water). We put some quick chik in the water and it seems to make them happy.I would just watch them closely and care for them individually at first, some TLC. I can't begin to tell you how hard it is to pick 13 dead chicks out of a cage while the others stare. There was one that did fall over and flipped over, but I kept sitting him up and he eventually figured out how to stand. I would give it time. I'm sorry you have also lost yours, its so hard to see them so weak and basically helpless. I wish that your little chicks will get better and hope for only the best for them. I have already filed a claim and called McMurray and they said they will refund the money, have you filed one?

 

One more died last night, only 11 chicks left. I think I'll just get a refund for those that passed and take it to a local hatchery so I can guarantee that they are healthy and alive. So far the remaining ones are doing great.

 

Well, two more casualties since this morning, but those were the chicks that we were nursing. I don't know that I'll ever get mail order chicks again.