HELP!! Why do my baby chicks all die right after I give them water???

[roamingchick]

please DON'T let anything or person drink that water until you know what's going on.scary

I agree and will not let anyone or my animals drink it.

 

[BethanyS]

a strong adult with good kidneys and liver can stand more exposure.if its killing chicks I'd be concerned.

 

[BethanyS]

call your local water company and your agriculture extension office

 

[BethanyS]

keep us updated I'm sorry your having trouble.Water sheds from far far away.I hope it's an easy fix

 

[onaquest55]

are you making sure to not dip their nostrils in the water as well? Seems like if they are dying that quickly after it would be hard to imagine it would be something in the water to make them so sick so fast without having ill effects on the family at least? Do they seem distressed after you show them the water?

 

[onaquest55]

I just reread and you said that you have raised many chicks before. So I doubt you are doing that. That is a bit scary though, I really hope you find out what is wrong and def don't drink the water until you know it is safe!

 

[Wisher1000]

I do not dip beaks into the water. I have found that one or two will find it on their own and the others will follow their lead. As for the water, if nothing else is getting sick, I would not panic over it. You can either do the same dipping with bottled water and see what happens, or not dip them in the well water next time and see if they are affected. Just don't do both or you won't know what caused it. Good luck.

 

[Shan30]

Are you removing them from the incubator, dipping their beaks and then they are in the brooder for the first time?

This might have nothing to do with the water but be an environmental issue in the brooder if so. Fumes from a cleaner used on the brooder perhaps?

 

[heiditam]

Is there any fracking around you? I lived in PA, and several wells were polluted with fracking. Chemicals in a well will sicken the animals first.

 

[MeepBeep]

But I will have to find out where to get my water tested.

Almost all water filtration companies will test for free if you don't mind the sales pitch...

Homedepot around me has a rack full of FREE test kits in the kitchen area, just fill the included bottle and send it in they even pay postage... That or just Google up free water test kit, there are dozens of companies that will send you out a free kit...

Beware these free test are not extensive but they can show some issues, like high nitrates from farm run off or bad septics, or heavy metal contamination...

If you want a better test contact a local well drilling company or your local health department and they will direct you to a more full featured water test laboratory in your area but it will likely cost...