HELP 3 day old chicks randomly dieing!

[Eggcessive]

They need to have electrolytes and vitamins in their water for a few days, if you haven't already started them. Pedialyte, gatoraade, or homemade electrolyte solution will work. Stress from shipping, especially in cold winter months or the hot months of summer is very hard on them. I'm not sure why they ship chicks in Jan-Feb anyway. Here is a recipe for electrolytes: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/07/chicken-heat-stress-dehydration-and.html

 

[jzervas92]

Thank you for the information I started with just a little sugar in the water. Now I've been giving them apple cider vinegar. I'm definitely going to start to give them more electrolytes.

 

[jzervas92]

I went to Walmart and got the Pedialyte, do you know how much I'm supposed to put in the water?

 

[Eggcessive]

Just use it straight as their water replacement. They shouldn't need it more thana couple of days.

 

[jzervas92]

Ok great! Thank you very much for your help!

 

[jzervas92]

Got home from Walmart found another one dead. I just replaced their water with the Pedialyte. I have a bad feeling I'm going to lose all of them.

 

[jessica1982]

I also received my shipment Monday. I lost 12 so far, the latest one tonight. Same breeder, and none of the same breeds you mentioned. And they have been on the electrolyte powder and grow gel. Starting to worry I'm going to lose more too.

 

[purplesquirrel]

got to keep going! they must toughen up after they've settled down.
Thinking of you guys x

 

[jzervas92]

Oh no sorry to hear that. I woke up this morning and so far no one died! I was looking back at my order form and it said they left on Friday, but I never received a call from the hatchery till Sunday. I wonder if they sat in the post office all weekend and no one called me. I would be so upset because the main post office is 30 minutes from my house, and the one we use everyday is a minute from my house. Thank you purplesquirrel I'm going to keep everyone posted on what's going on!

 

[ARiesb]

I have the same thing happening here. I also ordered from McMurray Hatchering. A few of us did an order together so my friend received them on Monday. On Monday, she lost one or two, then Tuesday, she lost one of my mine (Red Star).

We picked them up Wednesday night. When they arrived here, one of the chicks was sleeping a lot but I got her to eat and drink. During the day yesterday she seemed fine again but still sleeping more than the others. I saw her eat, sleep, and poop. Poop was normal. No signs of plugged butt (only on one and I am keeping an eye on her and continuously cleaning her). Last night I lost the one that was sleeping a lot.

After that happened, another started acting the same. Sleeping a lot and now I can't get her to eat or drink. I saw her drink and eat some last night. She pooped this morning but it was a light colored running poop.

I don't have a thermometer in the box with them but they aren't huddled under the lamp and not hiding from it.

Any advice would be appreciated. I don't believe that the hatchery opens for another hour but am going to try now.