Chicks Dying Daily

[KingD]

Just wanted to update; I talked to the breeder and she's convinced that's it's our heat source. We use a heating plate instead of a heat lamp. She couldn't tell me why that would make a difference but she insisted that they were healthy when they left.

Probably too hot I'm guessing. Or just a dodgy breeder. They're good at making shit up sometimes!

 

[MINchick]

A call to the breeder would help a lot. Ask if any of their remaining chicks from the same hatch as these chicks have had the same symptoms and have been dying. That will tell us the source of the problem is with the breeder.

From my own experience, when a chick suddenly goes lethargic, followed quickly by lameness, then death, it's due to petroleum distillate exposure. Petroleum distillates are in glue, paint, fuels, insecticides, paint thinner, etc. Anything with a strong odor of benzene will contain this powerful deadly toxin.

Another source of toxin that produces the same symptoms and death is mold. Any mold is dangerous. Check the feed, bedding, water, any fruit or veggie treats for signs of mold.

I mean I guess it's technically possible that there could have been an exposure but it's very unlikely. We haven't done anything with chemicals in the last two weeks. We live in an old house but we had it inspected when we moved in two months ago and found no issues with mold or toxins.

 

[Brittney H]

If I were you, I'd start treating for coccidiosis. And honestly, chicks are fragile fragile. It is probably not the breeders fault or yours.

 

[Brittney H]

Probably too hot I'm guessing. Or just a dodgy breeder. They're good at making shit up sometimes!

I think once an incredibly fragile chick leaves the person that hatched it... well, it's up to the buyer. Chicks can die within hours from being chilled or numerous things.

 

[Brittney H]

Just wanted to update; I talked to the breeder and she's convinced that's it's our heat source. We use a heating plate instead of a heat lamp. She couldn't tell me why that would make a difference but she insisted that they were healthy when they left.

It's entirely possible. I posted another reply saying that chicks can get chilled or die from other reasons within hours. It's true. Are you experienced with poultry? I've had chickens and other birds for twenty years and sometimes I still don't know why i lose them. They're incredibly fragile. They might have just gotten too cold for an hour or two. What breed are they? Some breeds are more delicate than others.

 

[aart]

My only hesitation with getting replacements is that I don't want to get more chicks if they're just going to get sick and die. These were/are supposed to be really good show quality breeding stock and her adult birds are gorgeous but I'm still hesitant.

Only way to know for sure is have a necropsy done with pathology.

Just wanted to update; I talked to the breeder and she's convinced that's it's our heat source. We use a heating plate instead of a heat lamp. She couldn't tell me why that would make a difference but she insisted that they were healthy when they left.

I had a feeling that would be their answer.
How many chicks did you get, have any survived?

Unfortunately my chemistry skills are not what they should be but all i know is that it is always recommend to make sure they are vaccinated against various diseases and viruses ect. I think they often get sprayed at the hatchery.

Say Whaaaat?!

 

[MINchick]

It's entirely possible. I posted another reply saying that chicks can get chilled or die from other reasons within hours. It's true. Are you experienced with poultry? I've had chickens and other birds for twenty years and sometimes I still don't know why i lose them. They're incredibly fragile. They might have just gotten too cold for an hour or two. What breed are they? Some breeds are more delicate than others.

We got our first chicks two years ago and have had a few small batches of chicks since then so not super experienced, not brand new either. They're a mixed flock. Mostly Leghorns but some Ameraucanas, Orpingtons and a Brahma. The ones that died were other breeds. We've never lost a chick before. They've really all thrived. We're going to set up another brooder with a separate heat source and see if splitting them into two smaller groups helps.

 

[Eggcessive]

It sounds like this breeder really cranks out the chicks for a profit. The health and nutritional state of the parent stock has a lot to do with hatch ability. Some breeds and rarer breeds are not as hardy and may be harder to hatch and survive. Incubators can carry infection if they are not disinfected between hatches. If the breeder had multiple hatches or ages together, the chances of coccidiosis can affect young chicks. You can try calling your state poultry vet, and explain that you are a small flock owner who has experienced some deaths. They sometimes will prefer to do necropsies on 2-3 bodies for the price of one, to try and determine a cause of death. I would get a thermometer and place it on the floor of your brooeder to monitor temps. Are you brooding them inside the house or out in a coop? Is it cold?

I am not a fan of buying chicks from a breeder because you never know if they might have a disease in their flock. You can’t always get the fanciest breeds from a hatchery, but less chances of problems.

Here is a list of state poultry labs to call near you and request a necropsy, and be sure to keep bodies cold, but not frozen:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm