In Transit

[cmchickens]

I'm sorry. You made the best decision. It is always a hard choice to make, but sometimes it is the kindest one.

I don't know where you got your chicks from, but you might want to contact the hatchery, to let them know one of your chicks was sick enough to be put down. Most hatcheries have a 48 hour live guarantee.

 

[Moonthistle57]

Thanks, it was hard, but I feel like it was the right thing to do. I did my best to nurse her along, but she wasn't thriving and really seemed to be distressed. That's no kind of life for a little chick. I just finished sending the email to the hatchery to let them know.

 

[mightymax]

I'm so sorry about your little chick. I hope the others do real well for you!

 

[Moonthistle57]

Thank you. The other two are thriving - very active and even standing on top of the feeder, flapping their wings and jumping off. Very cute!

 

[luvmychicks79]

So sorry to hear about that...

you did the right thing...hard to do, but better than letting them suffer. Like cmchickens said, hopefully the hatchery will let you either get a new chick or a refund. I don't know what hatcheries do if it's one chick you would like replaced..do they mail a couple a long for warmth free of charge? Good to hear your others are doing great..so our mine! Gave them some probiotic powder in their feed today, and started taming them yesterday...went through all 21 of them and checked them over for pasty butt, and held each one in my hand until it would fall asleep..took about an hour- but want to make them friendly and used to me. My husband thinks i'm crazy...hahaha! I am either on here or reading my "Raising Chickens Book"

 

[Moonthistle57]

Aw thank you. It was hard, but it was indeed the right thing to do. I may just be content with these two for now, see how I do as a chicken keeper before adding to the flock. I can't really order more Sussex because everyone seems to be sold out for the year. Maybe in the spring. But to answer your question, the min. order is 3 and I doubt they would throw 2 in free (not like a chick is a huge expense though). That would make 5 chickens with all those eggs and there are only 2 of us. I'd be giving eggs away left and right!

I'm so glad your babies are doing well! That's so cute that they fell asleep in your hand. Mine chirrup and run away, but I persist and pick them up for a cuddle. They do eventually relax and close their little eyes. One of them has lots of wing feathers and has been practicing flying and keeps looking at the open top of the brooder, so I found an old window screen that fits perfectly. There's a big gap under the door where their brooder is and I have two cats, so the last thing I wanted was an escapee who became a midnight snack.

I found a small stick today and put it in there because they were perching on top of the feeder and pooping in the food. Since the stick is a little higher, that seems to have done the trick. Such funny little creatures!