Day Old Success Rate Question

[walkswithdog]

I've only had about 75 chicks shipped here. Haven't lost any. I don't think it's normal.

 

[howtogrowanegg]

Thanks for all the replies.

I'll try to remember the questions.

Out of 21 ... I've lost about 7.

I tried to ask the post office workers to check the chicks with me, but they said I didn't need to because they weren't insured. I guess I should have, which would have let them see the poop on the lid.

I did dip beaks in water upon arrival. They are on paper towels which are on top of pine shavings. I searched the BYC forums pretty exhaustingly last night and tried sugar water with ACV for some of them. I don't have karo syrup, yet.

It's interesting that the Easter Eggers were the ones mostly affected. Most of the Australorps have made it ... they seem to be active ... eating / drinking / sleeping. I sometimes will pick some up to bring to the waterer and they peep when I hold them and then drink.

I had my wife put the thermometer where they are laying and she said the temp is around 96. As far as how they are acting ... they are not all huddled together and they are not panting. The most I see sleeping together is 2 or 3.

As of yet they have not offered replacement or refund, but they wanted to call back around lunch time to confirm the 95 degree temp.

Regarding the delivery time. They shipped from Ohio on Monday and got them Tuesday in Vermont.

Good point about the pictures and documentation. Thanks.

Scott

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I just got mine this morning they were three day in transit from Ohio as well, one DOA the rest running around like crazy. I would say your losses (30% so far) are not normal. I had the same issue with the PO refusing to check the box because they were not insured. I will be insisting on insurace in the future (I was surprised that they weren't) Stand your ground with the hatchery, your temps sound perfect, even if it was the fault of the PO the hatchery shgould stand behind their sales in order to incourge future business. Tell them you will post your disapointment where 25,000 chicken buyers can see it.

 

[debilorrah]

How sad, no that is not normal and it sounds like they were thrown around in shipment. And yes they do need to be under direct light to keep them warm.....

 

[walkswithdog]

Quote:
Australorps tend to be a very durable breed, so I'm not surprised they're doing better than the more sensitive EEs.

Do pursue it with them. There's not a LOT you can do when it's the first time and you don't know what to do.

Next time DO NOT let the PO people tell you they will not look. Stand there and don't LEAVE, insurance or not, the hatchery wants a statement and you have a RIGHT to document the situation. Make them write one, take pics.

When you get home, document the box, the chicks, the brooder, the dead ones pics too. The less you leave open to an operator's interpetation of the situation.

This goes for any goods through the USPS system. While it may not be insured, proof that something arrived TRASHED is still on YOU to obtain. And you can demand that they document the condition, the seller needs to KNOW for sure. If you have to stand there and make a fuss to get someone to do it, do it. They get away with too much ........ because people don't want to confront them.

Can you tell that I deal with them WAYYY too often? Not so much my local office is a pain but sometimes I have stuff come to a nearby office and they're horrid.

My local office knows I show up with a camera in tow.

When it's e ggs or chicks my local office, so far has been terrific.

Hope they make it from here on out, try pedialyte too if you can get it.

 

[howtogrowanegg]

Again, thanks for all your replies.

As of now, we lost 6. One is still weak, but have gotten some karo syrup and we'll see how that goes. We've secluded her off in a small dish by herself so she won't get trampled.

Now I'm feeling bad that I didn't do all I could do and lost too many

I tried searching BYC for other posts regarding weak chicks and sugar water and tried the sugar water, but that didn't seem to help.

Regarding the hatchery ... My wife verified that the temp was in fact 96 where the chicks were so the hatchery was willing to work with us and they were willing to replace the chicks, but they would include little roos or refund money. I opted for the refund and going to use that money to buy replacements through a local feed store that actually uses the same hatchery. But the manager of the feed store says they won't be coming through USPS.

The remaining seem to be acting normal. Just have to keep an eye out for pasty butts.

Scott

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. Out of 21 chicks I have only lost one.

 

[howtogrowanegg]

Good news the last weak chick actually has hopped out of it's protective container and is over at the feeder eating.

My wife and children would like me to extend their thanks to everyone who provided help / suggestions.

Maybe we could suggest a BYC FAQ about what to do for stressed chicks.

Scott

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Yay! in our house that one would be named lucky! Feed store sounds like a good idea.

 

[howtogrowanegg]

Just an update:

The chick we thought was going to make it passed and we lost an Australorp last night. Total loss is a very sad 8.

Watching last night I found a couple weak looking ones that didn't have full crops and tried giving them karo syrup and pedialyte. I'm giving them 3-5 drops every few hours. Should it be more or less?

For the most part their behavior looks OK ... they don't huddle and not panting and the thermometer shows 95 where they are.

Is it possible to still be stressed 2 days after arrival? Or now is it something that I'm doing wrong?

They have ACV water and an organic chick starter mash. The feed is disappearing and the water level is going down.

I tried giving plain organic yogurt last night and they didn't want anything to do with it. I hard boiled some eggs this morning and will try to give some at lunch.

This sure has been a rough first experience.

Scott