Cornish X Chick Mortality ?

[nateschisler]

My 26 Cornish X chicks are 9 days old now. Not really sure what to expect with these guys as this is my first time at this. 1 chick was basically DOA - he didn't make it 5 hours after he got home - chalk this one up to transportation issues. Since then, they have been on Purina Mills Turkey Starter and water with Ideal vitamins. At the end of the 7th day, their feed was taken away and now they are fed 12/12.

I lost one on day five. I went out to check on them and he was doing the unresponsive puking-looking thing. I seperated him, tried to get him to drink some sugar water and Gro-gel from McMurray - no luck. Put the stuff in his mouth, didn't even swallow.

This morning I went out and found another one dead. After 9 days these guys have at least doubled in size, this little guy was noticeably smaller. He was active - ate and drank, just not as veracious as the others. He seemed healthy, just small. He was "antisocial" if that's a word to describe chickens, like a runt.

They have had a heat lamp and temperature has been relatively constant, I've had to regulate it with a fan at times because it got hot here, but overall pretty close to what I gather are the prescribed methods. The remaining 23 are vigorous, healthy, and large. Should I be concerned...is this typical of this breed?

Thanks!

 

[Rolsjo]

I don't know how much help I can offer as I too am a new chicken owner. My Cornish Xs are 10 days old. I did notice that it seems because of their rapid growth they don't need as much heat as other chicks. I found them getting overheated when their brooder was 90F on day 5. I've lost only 1 so far and it was the first day, so I assume it was due to shipping stress like yours.

What kind of brooder are they in? What type of bedding?

Is the temp warm enough at night? Are they maybe smothering each other to stay warm?

Could they have been exposed to something? Predator or disease?

Maybe have the mods move this to the Meat Birds section as there are some very knowledgeable and experienced people there.