HELPL! Freedom Ranger Broilers dying

[T-Amy]

I got 128 day-old Freedom Ranger chicks & my friend took 50, we kept 78. I've lost 8, almost 9- that's about 10% loss I've had. He's had 100% survival rate.

I need to ascertain what's going on as I lost 4, almost 5 today & 3 over the weekend. It's cold here in NY - & it took almost 48*, not abnormal, to get here.
I wanted them to be organic so I didn't vaccinate & I have them on organic chick starter. I just realized today (they're 5 days old) that it's prob too low protein- 18% & apparently should be 21-22%. I have fish meal that I can add to it to boost protein to 22% (recipe is to add 2# fishmeal per 5gal jug of feed). I've started that already.

The other birds all seem to be eating & drinking well & appear to be growing. Their naval hasn't fallen off yet (on about 25%)- I thought it was pasty butt but it's the navel- so can't be washed or softened to come off- going to let that heal. the ones that died did not have that on their butts- they were clear. Looked like they just hadn't been eating.

I've given them the Poultry nutri-drench in their water (not full dosage), simply because I only got a 4oz bottle but even having given some directly to sickly ones, they still died.

There is something clearly I'm doing wrong since I've lost so many & my friend who has birds from the same batch has not. He just grabbed a bag of chick starter at TSC so he's going to confirm what % protein & I am sure it's not organic. I'm wondering if it's the feed (his is probably medicated, possibly higher protein) & mine has lower protein.

?? should I get a small bag of medicated feed & give to them for a few days anyway.

The only other thing is what if the brooder wasn't as clean as it should be? Do you folks that raise meat birds always sterilize completely your brooders? This one had been outside & rained on but all it just had a little rust on the inside of it- not pieces that they could peck at. But rust is natural so didn't think that would cause it-??

The hatchery is going to ship me another small batch of 25 that I'll brood in a different pen & I will have them vaccinated. Not sure what else I should do diff with them... any advice is appreciated.

 

[HEChicken]

The 18% feed should not be the problem - that is the usual protein content of chick starter. Also, medicated vs. non-medicated is only a contributing factor if the chicks are dying of coccidiosis. The medicated starter is medicated with amprolium which helps build the chick's immunity to coccidiosis. I've raised some batches on medicated, some on non-medicated and didn't lose more because they weren't getting the amprolium so I wouldn't be concerned about that.

If you are having pasty butt issues, there may be a problem with the temperature in your brooder. What are you using for heat and how are you determining that it is the right temperature for them? As an ideal, I watch the chick's behavior to determine it is right. If they huddle under the heat source, they are too cold. If they stay away from it, they are too hot. If they are spending some time under the heat, and some time away from it exploring, it is just right. Bottom line, they need a variety of temperatures in the brooder so they can move about and be comfortable.

You can add a little ACV to their water and it may not help but certainly won't hurt.

If your brooder is located in a basement, I would move it upstairs immediately. Basements can be damp and have mold spores that are lethal to chicks, even though you aren't aware of them.

I'm a little concerned about the umbilical thing you mentioned - that is not something I've ever seen on a chick after it was dry and fluffed up from hatching.

 

[T-Amy]

thanks for taking the time to write & offer your experience.
I cleaned off the pasty butts tonight- they didn't like or appreciate it but it wasn't a picnic for me either. The ones that died didn't have anythign on their butt- I think because they just weren't eating to poop at all.
The temp seems OK- they are in the garage & I have the brooders covered for the most part but open enough to let some light/fresh air in. They scurry around & seem to be energetic. The one that was sickly didn't stand out tonight so maybe it's feeling better- guess I'll know in the AM.
The people I shared the birdies with (who haven't lost any) are feeding non-medicated natural starter- & plain water. No vitamins. I did add some of the save-a-chick to one of their waterers (pkg said leave one water plain, one with the vitamins/electrolytes).
I was wondering about the ACV- I do add that to my layers' waterers & wasn't sure if the babies could handle it. Thanks!
I also increased their protein to 21-22%- and I'll wait to see if the combo of the above helps.
when I did the CX's last year, we lost a couple in the beginning & a couple at the end (because we butchered a week too late & I assume those 2 had heart attacks?)
When I get the 2nd batch this Friday, I'll keep them in the house for the first week before moving them outside... and start them on the higher protein. I did order them vaccinated- disappointed they won't be organic though