Hello! I've raised chicks 8 to 12 at a time for many years. This year I bought 35 from Ideal Poultry. Five different breeds, all layers. They arrived on Friday, shipped on Wednesday, last week, so that puts them at I guess 8 ish days old today.
All alive in their shipping box. All active and eating and drinking in their brooder, a big Rubbermaid water trough, clean, never had chicks before. Temp under light was 95. They seemed fine, no huddling, no venturing deep into the cold end but plenty of action on the periphery of the warm end and right under the light.
Second day, two were dead. Two were laying down while the rest were active. The laying down ones would perk up when I'd dip their beaks or put a drop of water on their beaks. Wouldn't eat when dipped in feed. They were laying in a normal sleeping position, flat on bellies, heads just looking straight. Wings slightly spread, so I thought maybe too hot Moved to cooler spot, they walk back to warmer spot and lay back down.
No tremors. No pasty butt. Breathing seems normal. When they do walk, when I move them and they still have enough energy to move back, they stand up and walk normally. No wet eyes. No unusual droppings anywhere. Then they die.
The next day, same thing, one dies early, two die later, same thing next day, next day. Eight of the 35 have died like this so far. Each breed. The live ones are acting totally normally. Two are working on dying right now. Here's a pic of how they lay around before dying.
I've read so much and this doesn't seem like anything. Any ideas? Thanks!
All alive in their shipping box. All active and eating and drinking in their brooder, a big Rubbermaid water trough, clean, never had chicks before. Temp under light was 95. They seemed fine, no huddling, no venturing deep into the cold end but plenty of action on the periphery of the warm end and right under the light.
Second day, two were dead. Two were laying down while the rest were active. The laying down ones would perk up when I'd dip their beaks or put a drop of water on their beaks. Wouldn't eat when dipped in feed. They were laying in a normal sleeping position, flat on bellies, heads just looking straight. Wings slightly spread, so I thought maybe too hot Moved to cooler spot, they walk back to warmer spot and lay back down.
No tremors. No pasty butt. Breathing seems normal. When they do walk, when I move them and they still have enough energy to move back, they stand up and walk normally. No wet eyes. No unusual droppings anywhere. Then they die.
The next day, same thing, one dies early, two die later, same thing next day, next day. Eight of the 35 have died like this so far. Each breed. The live ones are acting totally normally. Two are working on dying right now. Here's a pic of how they lay around before dying.
I've read so much and this doesn't seem like anything. Any ideas? Thanks!
