Chicks received today, is this normal?

[Chicks_N_Horses]

Out of 14 chicks I had 2 dead. I was still happy! Shipping is rough on baby chicks! Just imagine.....I say you did good.


eta: and the heat right now! I got some hatching eggs thru the mail yesterday and they were hotter than the eggs in my bator! I had to go ahead and stick them in.

 

[noitulover]

i ordered just 3 and 3 were just fine!

 

[IggiMom]

Quote:
Truly, I think chicks should do better than that.

The ones that came from Estes Hatchery to me came in a box that looked as if the PO had played football with it.

In fact, our local PO gave me another box to carry it home in!

Every chick was ok.

Catherine

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Ideal hatchery is a professional and caring place.

DO call them and tell them of your problem.

I would wait two days if you have chicks DOA and dying.

I received my Guineas from them Yesterday, all alive and today all doing GREAT. I got seven packing peanuts as well, all doing fine.

EDTA:

when you get your chicks be sure you have a heat source going even in this heat.
The BOTTOM of the brooder should be about 95 degrees F.

Be sure your brooder is large enough for them to get away from the heat source if they find it too hot.

Put down small pine shavings and then COVER this with paper towels for the first 5 days.

The chicks need to know that food is food and shavings are shaving. Rarely though do chicks eat the shavings, but it does happen.

Next, be sure to put some sugar or Molasses in the first water container you give them.

This will give em a boost.

After the first container, start with Apple Cider Vinegar, a small amount, to keep the pasty butt at a minimal.

Be sure to use medicated starter and put it on top of the paper towels for the first few day.

Later you can use a small, shallow dish for the food.

 

[IggiMom]

Quote:
Oh, that is cute--packing peanuts.

Catherine

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I think that sounds a little high as well.

I was too 'chicken' to order my own and my local feed store was ordering the hardy standard chicks I wanted.

It was their first order of the year - 100 chicks from Privit Hatchery in New Mexico all the way to Olympia Washington in Feb. Only one DOA. The ten random pellets I got are thriving 17 wks later.

Three came home from the feed store with pasty butt, so watch for that.

Good luck and I hope it goes well for the rest.

 

[djjwalls]

Thank you for all of the replies. I will contact the hatchery, I hate to drop any names because it could have had nothing to do with the hatchery. I will contact the hatchery and let them know. My box was not beat up or anything, but it could have been dropped. I really just don't know. I just felt bad, I don't want them all to die. My daughter has cried her eyes out over the two she tried to nurse back to health. One that died was a Golden Sex Link and those are supposed to be hardy. This is my first time getting day old chicks, so it has not been a too good of an experience, my first ones came from Tractor Supply. If anyone has any more tips though, I would be glad to hear them. Thanks

 

[GAchick]

I ordered 5 silkies from my pet chicken. They were sent out Monday, the PO called me about 9:00 Tuesday morning. All were healthy. All are still fine @ 4 days old. (And so teeny tiny, and cute!)

 

[Backyard Hencam]

I'm beginning to believe that shipping live day-old chicks is cruelty to animals. Am I alone in this belief?

 

[txredneckmedic]

I dont see how else your gonna get your chicks