Help ! my babies are dieing...

[Pokemom]

Hello I am new to raising chickens and I need some advice. I am recently a new chicken mama. I spent 2 weeks in January looking at every hatchery and finally decided on Hoovers because they had everything that I was looking for. I ordered 17 chicks of varying types (Welsummers, Calico, Rainbow, Isa, Tetra, Production red, Americuana, Delaware). As I am new to raising chickens I wanted to do everything right. I ordered all the vaccinations and beak trimming. Made a beautiful brooder, bought the eco glow 20, set up a beautiful nursery for my babies. I live in Virginia and it took 2 days for the chicks to get to me. Our weather has been very springlike, temps in the mid 60's. My brooder is in my living room that is separated from the rest of the house so it's very quiet and our dogs and cats don't disturb it. I got my order this week..and it has been heartbreaking. I took off from work the day they arrived so very excited to see my babies. They arrived alive and well. Now, I fully expected some to not survive so I was happy that they arrived alive. I even know that sometimes within 48 hours you can lose a few. Well it started with one. I could tell from the start it wasn't well. We seperated it and nursed and she seemed like she was doing great. The next day she died. That morning I also had 3 more die. The next day I had 2 more die. All total so far in less than a week I have lost half of my babies. I was careful to check for pasty butt so I know that wasn't the cause. Hoover did refund my money but that doesn't help when your babies start dying. I am afraid to look in my brooder each morning. Keeping my fingers crossed that the rest of my babies survive. If not, I may not venture into having chickens again. Can anyone give me any advise? Is the Eco glow warm enough (doesn't seem to be 95 degrees like the chicks need but I've read great reviews on it). Am I doing something wrong? This is heartbreaking.

Welcome, and I'm so sorry! Set a thermometer under the brooder plate to check the temperature there; does it feel warm to you? Could it be malfunctioning?
This isn't normal at all!
Are they actually eating, or just rooting around in the food? Debeaking isn't 'nice' at all, and I'm also wondering if there are issues there.
Call the hatchery tomorrow and complain! At least let them know that things aren't going well. What's their policy?
Consider having dead chicks chilled and necropsied, in case there's something going on that you should know about, like an infection.
Mary

Welcome, and I'm so sorry! Set a thermometer under the brooder plate to check the temperature there; does it feel warm to you? Could it be malfunctioning?
This isn't normal at all!
Are they actually eating, or just rooting around in the food? Debeaking isn't 'nice' at all, and I'm also wondering if there are issues there.
Call the hatchery tomorrow and complain! At least let them know that things aren't going well. What's their policy?
Consider having dead chicks chilled and necropsied, in case there's something going on that you should know about, like an infection.
Mary

How and where do you get them necropsied? I called the hatchery the first day but I do plan on calling again tomorrow. I really want to order more chicks but now I am frightened. It's been so hard to wake up and check on them each morning to see if any have died.

 

[Folly's place]

Check with the brooder plate people too.
An avian veterinarian, or better yet, your state veterinary path lab. Costs vary hugely between states, but if this is an infection issue, the state lab may be very interested.
Mary

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Lower that Brinsea immediately.
Should help things, I’d get a save-a-chick electrolyte or Nutra-Drench. Give them all some smashed boiled egg. & make sure to have some chick starter grit. You’re doing the best you can. Very weird that you’ve had so many losses. I’m sorry you’ve lost so many how heart wrenching. If you loose them all I’d honestly blame the hatchery. I’ve never had a loss and I use a Brinsea ecoglow too.

 

[Pokemom]

Lower that Brinsea immediately.
Should help things, I’d get a save-a-chick electrolyte or Nutra-Drench. Give them all some smashed boiled egg. & make sure to have some chick starter grit. You’re doing the best you can. Very weird that you’ve had so many losses. I’m sorry you’ve lost so many how heart wrenching. If you loose them all I’d honestly blame the hatchery. I’ve never had a loss and I use a Brinsea ecoglow too.

I just lost another. One thing that I have noticed on at least 2 of the chicks who died is that they had blood in their stool. They were vaccinated against cocci but I just read that that is a sign. Have you ever heard of this?

 

[Sublight]

Yes it feels warm. They do huddle under it like they are cold and yes they were all drinking and eating on their own.

Put your hand under it. Is it warm? If not, then they need warmth. You should be able to know pretty easily. It should be obviously warm.

 

[Sublight]

I just lost another. One thing that I have noticed on at least 2 of the chicks who died is that they had blood in their stool. They were vaccinated against cocci but I just read that that is a sign. Have you ever heard of this?

Don't know BUT, if it is, then don't use that box again, or clean the fire out of it.
Once you get a disease, its hard to kick.
My opinion is to go straight to panic mode, and trash everything. I saw my dad get a disease, and never could get rid of it. It was terrible. He had to give up on raising chickens for about 5 years, now he is much more careful of what chickens he brings in.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

I just lost another. One thing that I have noticed on at least 2 of the chicks who died is that they had blood in their stool. They were vaccinated against cocci but I just read that that is a sign. Have you ever heard of this?

I’ve never had any issues with Cocci and my chicks weren’t vaccinated against it. I have Corid on hand in my chicken emergency kit just in case though. I’m so sorry for all of your losses. If you try again with chicks I’d get them from MPC or your local feed store.

 

[kissezmychicken]

Sounds like that cocc could be the issue i if blood is present. Please, don't let this scare you off chickens. I am so incredibly sorry you've had a terrible first experience. Get some Corid or what is recommended by the more experienced members, do your best and then get a new box (really, that's all you need, a large cardboard box to start) and do it again. Usually a vet that treats chickens can do the tests needed to figure this out..a necropsy of sorts, even if just cultures. I don't want you to miss out on being a chicken mom.its not always this negative. Also, let the company know and try a new hatchery or whatever you feel you want to do..just try again!!!!!

 

[Jrose]

I may get flamed for this, but if anyone dislikes my opinion they can kindly ignore it.

Vaccinating a tiny newborn is extremely tough on the immune system. Take a newborn bird, introduce a virus and chemical carrier agents into its body, pack it in a box and ship it. Even an untreated 3 weeks old chick can die from stress alone in shipment. It’s normal to have day old chicks die on arrival, it’s very hard on them. But add this additional interference with their immune system and, in my opinion, it’s probably not surprising if most of them die. Even if they settle in and recover from their flight, their system is learning how to fight a virus, many viruses, and it might jut be too much for them.

Not saying it’s bad to vaccinate, I’m talking about the vax and ship combo. Beak clipping is traumatic on the body as well. I’m sure many people have done it with no major losses. And I could be way off the mark. But. That’s my first inclination.

I’m sorry for your loss. Losing chicks is awful . I do hope your losses stop and your biddies blossom into beautiful hens!

 

[SueT]

I may get flamed for this, but if anyone dislikes my opinion they can kindly ignore it.

Vaccinating a tiny newborn is extremely tough on the immune system. Take a newborn bird, introduce a virus and chemical carrier agents into its body, pack it in a box and ship it. Even an untreated 3 weeks old chick can die from stress alone in shipment. It’s normal to have day old chicks die on arrival, it’s very hard on them. But add this additional interference with their immune system and, in my opinion, it’s probably not surprising if most of them die. Even if they settle in and recover from their flight, their system is learning how to fight a virus, many viruses, and it might jut be too much for them.

Not saying it’s bad to vaccinate, I’m talking about the vax and ship combo. Beak clipping is traumatic on the body as well. I’m sure many people have done it with no major losses. And I could be way off the mark. But. That’s my first inclination.

I’m sorry for your loss. Losing chicks is awful . I do hope your losses stop and your biddies blossom into beautiful hens!

I read that vaccinations done carelessly or by an nexperienced person can seriously injure chicks. Also, that certain vaccines can actually cause occurrence of coccidiosis because they are not “attenuated” or weakened. I do so hope neither of these is the case, and that all the rest survive.