Cornish X~ really small

[chiknwhisperer]

I picked up my order of 25 Cornish crosses today and one died a little while ago and another can't open its eyes or hold its head up. All the rest of them look good. Please help me

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

So were they shipped to you? Stress from shipping can take it's toll and there is little you can do about it if they are in rough shape. The brooder being the right temperature adn them having water adn figuring out what to do with it is most critical. Smaller orders like 25 don't do as well as larger orders sadly as they keep warm in numbers. If you have not already add some sugar to the water to help them or the vitamin electrolyte powder.

The one that has dificulty keeping it's eyes even open may need to be offerred water by drop off the tip of your finger to get it started. Good luck.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

I will add the sugar right now. They were shipped to a local feed store but they were in the mail three days.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

Down to 22 birds now

I put the sugar in their water and the brooder is at right temp. They all know where food and water is. I showed them a bunch of times since I got home this morning with them. And I am checking on them every half hour. Sometimes now its every 15 minutes. Not sure what else to do.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

Holding steady at 22. And everyone looks good. Do many people have this problem of losing a few after they get them home. I hope I'm not the only one. My other four chickens that aren't meat birds are all doing very well. This is the first time I have ever lost a chick, much less three chicks.

 

[dacjohns]

I lost 13 of 50 Cornish X. I was really bummed about it and couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. I was following all the directions and was still loosing them over a couple of weeks The only thing I didn't do was dip each one's beak in water when I got them home. I think alot of it is the genetics of the bird.

Sorry, I know how you feel.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

Thanks for the support you guys

it really makes me feel better.

 

[MissPrissy]

Stop the sugar water after today. If they keep drinking it you will end up with pasty butt. Large quantities of sugar water is a laxative. You don't want to create more problems for yourself.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

Thanks MissPrissy. I have read many of your posts and you always give such great advice.

 

[MissPrissy]

You are welcome. We all need a little help with these chickens at times.