Hi, I'm new to raising of chicks but since I'm studying Animal Breeding and Genetics in the University, I feel I should try putting some things I've learnt to practice. So far I'd say I've failed woefully. Here is my story. I received my DOCs (broilers) on 15th of October 2015. I ordered for 50, one died even before I got home or from the hatchery (who knows). I made a sugar solution and dipped their beak in the water and they all drank. I put them in their brooder with moderate temperature. I know the temperature is moderate cuz they were moving around healthily, some eating, some drinking, some resting. The next day, I put anti-biotics in their drinking water for 3 consecutive days. Everything went on fine until Day 4 I woke up to see one of the chicks dead. I removed the dead chick and threw it away and cleaned their brooder. Another chick died on day 5, 4 died on day 6, 2 on Day 7. I got really angry and suspected it could be coccidiosis cuz some of the chicks were listless, no appetite and saw blood in their poop. I started using Amprolium + drinking water on Day 7. 2 more died on day 8. I decided to clean and disinfect the entire brooder on Day 9, but 2 died on day 9 but I think its not as a result of a disease, I think they trampled on them. I used amprolium from day 7-10. One died on day 10 which is 25/10/2015, another on day 11 and another one today (day 12) 27/10/2015. So I decided to introduce Gumboro Vaccine today. Although deaths between day 10-12 were more like trampling and not disease related (I think). The mortality is just too much, I feel like I'm the most terrible farmer ever. What did I do wrong? Could Rats be killing them? Help me please. Thanks.
Maybe they are too crowded. Or maybe you are overdoing things with the medications.. Most people don't start to medicate their chicks as much as you did. some don't at all.. You will always have some losses, but yours are quite big in numbers. WISHING YOU BEST FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GLOBE... AND
Hello again. Do you have additional questions or concerns? I can point you to another forum if needed.
Alright great to have you joining the BYC flock I put 2 and 3 day old chicks in with 6 week old chicks and do not have the trampling problem you are having so you might need a bigger brooder ,,,,so do you have any photos of your brooder ........ This is my brooder .. This is a low population I even mix up the baby's I put in there ... For meds I feed them boiled egg's .......... I think you need to slow down on the meds ...... What is the outside temp where you are ????? My normal temp in the brooder is 80 to 85 and the chicks jump out when it is time to go to the grow out cage .......... Good luck with you flock and please keep us updated and maybe we can help ..... Where are you getting your chicks from and how is there flock doing ........ gander007
Those are some picture from my brooder. @NorthFLChick I am okay with the help I'm getting here, thanks.
Hello! Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to joined the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC. I hope you figure things out. Good luck.
