I lost my second chick a few minutes ago

[CHICKENCHASERWV]

I have now lost 2 of the 29 chicks from MM this one was smaller than the rest we tried cleaning the butt,adding water to the food to make a mash and feeding it with a eye dropper. I feel terrible how long until they are goung to be alright and I do not have to worry about them? The wife trie massaging it's chest to revive it since she is a nurse that did not work. Feeling sad and upset in WV

 

[CackleFan]

Sorry for your loss. I lost 5 out of 27 chicks I ordered from MM last spring. I also tried Cackle Hatchery last May with an order of black star, BR, and buttercup, all survived. I can get a range of 10-17 eggs a day from this flock since they started to lay on 9/22/08.

Best of luck!
Holly

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Aww, I'm sorry for the loss. With chicks there is always the chance of something happening, especially in their first few days. Even more for lil' newborn babes sent some distance in the mail. It's more amazing that any of them survive at all!

Be sure to contact the hatchery and let them know of the loss. They can at least credit your account, or refund you for the cost of the chick. I know it doesn't replace it, but at least you've gotten something back.

You noticed that the chick was smaller & weaker than the rest. There could be a number of causes for its demise, but bottom line, it probably didn't have the "right stuff" for survival. It sounds like you're doing everything you can to give your chicks optimal conditions for survival. After that, it's up to the individual chicks and their genetic composition.

Hopefully, as they grow & strengthen there shouldn't be more of these surprise losses. Keep up the good care, & keep us posted as to their progress.

 

[Pumpkinpup]

I'm so sorry! It's tuff when you lose one

 

[Country Guy John]

I had really good experience from Cackle Hatchery myself.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

I had chicks from cackle last year. Most all survived, but I did loose 5 or so during the first month. My problem was that I used cedar shavings and did not know that the bedding was toxic to baby chickies.

I actually did really well considering my mistake !!

I lost mostly the polish and rare breeds that are not quite as hardy, I guess, than the other chicks.

 

[she-earl]

What are you using for bedding? I was using pine shavings. We lost 5 chicks in 2 days. I called the hatchery. She said that I should cover the shavings with towels. If the chicks eat enough of the shavings they can't digest them. I covered my shavings and they would pull the towel back to get at it. I took all shavings out and am covering newspaper instead. We have not lost any more chicks.