Dropping like flies ! :(

[rosegal]

My chicks arrived Sunday morning and all received great care and eye dropper feedings as per all instructions and suggestions. All of my Golden Sebrights have died one by one. They were so small and fragile. I don't think they were strong enough to make a trip as soon as they were hatched. The others are fine so far. They were from McMurrays and I do think some breeds are just stronger than others. None of the others have died.

 

[fishboy1]

daydreamer.

I spoke with a "chicken friend" today and he experienced similar problems with smaller breed chicks ordered during cold weather. Or I should say, mixed orders during cold weather. He had 1/25 die when ordering during warm weather and another buddy has made several orders over the past 2 years with very minimal losses but they only order during late spring or summer.

I think the smaller chicks cant take the stress and abuse the larger chicks put on them during shipping in cold weather. The small breed chicks pile up under the hottest spot below the light and the larger bodied chicks spread out more so they obviously need it warmer than the big chicks.

When the replacement order comes in, I will be ready with a separate area for the small chicks to keep the big ones from bullying them and pecking. I can bump the temp up a bit for them since they seem to need a warmer spot too. If I can get them past the first 4 days or so, they should be strong enough to join the rest of the pack.

Wish I had known about the mortality potential of shipping mixed chicks in cold weather. Its been in the low 40's here with rain and high humidity and below freezing in IA where they are shipped from so its probably a nasty journey for baby chicks.

 

[CrittersNPets]

So sorry for your losses - those are terrible. I ordered from McMurray 4 weeks ago with friends and we had some silkies, quail antwerp, bantam EE, and LF ee, and a few RIR for a total of I think 25 chicks. Between the three of us we lost only one chick total. I had 12 of the bantams and though careful to keep them warm, get them a drink, and in the brooder that was it. I don't think any of the three of us used sugar water or electrolytes. I think some of it is just dumb luck, some weather, etc but I also can't help but picture some of these chicks not handled so good by unknowing (or ugh uncaring) shippers/mailers. I always picture them sitting out on a cold dock somewhere in transit. I hope you have better luck the next time.

 

[daydreamer92]

Fred's Hens :

A 250 watt bulb 18-24 inches above chicks, in a Rubbermaid tub, in a 70 degree kitchen does sound awfully warm. Just saying.
The heat gets radiated down into a tub and it holds the heat. I'm sure a thermostat reading shows a safe temperature.
Sounds like you're on top of it.
Here's to hoping all goes well with your chicks. Nobody likes losing them.

Fred's Hens: I don't disagree with what it sounds like and fretted (during the mass chick die off) that it was too warm, despite 30+ other chicks being very comfortable with this same set up. But when I fretted and raised it to what the temp said was safer, the chicks cried and huddled until I brought it back down. Then they peeped and scratched and preened and spread out neatly (not away from it) and the survivors + replacements have been quite comfortable.

I should add (in case it wasn't obvious) that there's lots of room to 'move over' if they are unhappy with the heat, but they don't and sleep in and around the warm spot. It's not nearly as warm indirectly under the lamp (put a therm there too to see, it was a modest 80 degrees). They also aren't sealed in. Hardware cloth covers the top rather than a lid with holes.

The fluffy easter eggers and RIRs don't want nearly as much heat. Just the bantams. Everyone is checked often (easy to do with the kitchen being a major pathway around the house!) to make sure they are comfortable.

And now we're on day 4 and the replacement batch is doing very well. I just wanted to share my troubles with the OP since their die-off sounded awfully familiar.​

 

[macadam8157]

Sad. I don't like to use sugar or electrolytes in the water. I lean more towards medicated starter feed. I've heard that the taste of the water can discourage them from drinking as much as they should.

 

[Fyrekitten]

I have to agree that sometimes it seems the bantams are a bit more fragile. I have a weird story for everyone - I think this chick has nine lives

He is a Silver spangled Hamburg that I bought in a bunch of eggs to hatch from a breeder. I had a bunch hatch, then a second group that is doing nicely out of the same shipment. This guy is just a bit smaller but is pretty active. Day 2 he manages to get in the waterer (which has small rocks in it to keep them from drowning...) and gets soaking wet - take him out nurse him on my lap - he's already a lap chick, but he's almost dead and still recovers. Next he get's the poopie butt thing going and I perform poopie butt ministrations and Sav-A-Chick water - he sleeps a lot and pulls out just fine. So now he's over a week old and I decide that everyone in this group can go into the "next brooder" (I have 4 brooder steps....newborn, less than a week, week to 4 weeks and those that are over 8 weeks - too cold in NY to put them out yet for the bigger ones) So I put him downstairs with about 12 other chicks (BR, Sumatras, Cochin, Silver Seabrights and Silver Spangled Hamburgs) They are all under the light in the 3rd brooder but seem not too packed but just in case I add three of the 8-9 week old Silkies who immediately step in and start mothering (OMGm that was funny and amazing). Everyone is okay and I check them and water and all again that evening. Morning and everyone is just fine. I went down again to the basement for something I needed and just happened to decide to check everyone again later that morning. Anyway, this same little dude is half under their little feeder almost mushed flat! I didn't realize it was him until I got the feeder off of him - his feet and about a third of his body was out from under it. So I brought him up, barely breathing and not really moving. Sav-A-Chick, heat lamp with a blanket and a little soft Ty Baby Piggie I add in sometimes for comfort he lays there for hours. I held him for a bit, he gets stronger and then finally last night about bed time all I hear is Cheep Cheep all night long again. He's just fine - a little unsteady and weak still. All he wants is to be held so I brought him up one of the younger St. Cochins to keep him company.

I have never seen a chick survive so much and such weird circumstances - I still can't believe he got partially under the little feeder and then had it pushed on him and survived! I really thought he was a goner!

 

[rosegal]

McMurrays is going to credit me for the chicks that have died. Next time I will order the smaller breeds in the warmer weather. I am still keeping an eye on the one left and it seems to be fine. Weird the Silver sebrights are fine and were with the goldens.

 

[drumstick diva]

Fryrekitten OOh, I'd re-home him, with all his antics he would have shortened my life considerably. I'd pass him along to someone who enjoys the thrills - not me.

 

[Fyrekitten]

My thoughts as well! He and his little Cochin pal have decided that if "Mom" can't be heard or it's late at night that cheeping all night is now the "thing" to do. I keep going out thinking someone is in dire straits and they're just like "hi, how about a cuddle??!). I'm going to have to re-dye my hair again after this chicklet!

 

[pkw]

That is so strange. I have never had more than a few chicks die that I ordered from McMurray hatchery.