Is this just me?

[Chelsearae087]

I'm wondering if I'm missing something here. Has anyone experienced issues with purchasing chicks from a backyard breeder?

Backstory: I've been purchasing chicks from a local backyard breeder, thinking it was better to support local business owners. I'd heard mixed reviews on her, but she was very kind and caring about her animals when I stopped by my first time, so I've trusted her thus far. However, I'm on round 3 of chicks from her (usually purchase 5 at a time), and they keep dying mysteriously. I had one confirmed coccidiosis, so after a long break and a lot of sanitizing, I got another round of chicks from her in December. They all seem to get about this age - 3-4 months and start to die off. I'm VERY attentive to nutrition, sanitary conditions, predators, and monitoring health by checking poop, etc. I know chickens can be hard to keep alive, but it seems pretty weird to have so many die on me around the same age.

Anyway, what I'm wondering is if breeding issues like potential inbreeding or inherited traits could be causing problems. Anyone have experience with this? And if my suspicions are correct, can anyone speak to the life expectancy of chickens bought from tractor supply or those online orders?

Sorry, I'm still fairly new to all of this. I always get attached!

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

That sounds very frustrating. Is there a particular breed you've been acquiring from the breeder?

 

[CatWhisperer]

Can you ask the breeder you purchase from if she is experiencing the same problem?

 

[keesmom]

He you considered getting a necropsy done to find out what's going on?

 

[chickenE]

Are all your chickens from this breeder? If not, do your other chickens have similar problems?

Sorry about the losses in your flock.

 

[Chickassan]

No, your experience is not the norm honestly it isn't the norm for a giant hatchery.
Your support of local buisness is commendable but that many losses is unacceptable, period.
You must be at wits end by now.

 

[Kiki]

Sometimes people call themselves breeders...and they have no clue what they are doing.


Does she have a website?

 

[Acre4Me]

First, sorry about the bad luck with the chicks. It is frustrating to put in good effort repeatedly to then have them die off.

yes, there certainly could be genetic issues, but then she would have them in her flock too (and they would be dying off too). Good suggestions above.

yes, you should consider another source. You could look for another local seller, or buy at the farm store. some farm stores get them in and sell what they get and they may not even know what will come ahead of time. We have another farm store near us that does “chick day”. You order what you want, then there is one specified day to pick up your order at their store.

add your general location to your profile and that can help others give you more specific information. Either recommend a place to get chicks or give you pertinent information that may pertain to your location (arid? Cold? Hot? Humid? Etc).

 

[joydix]

I'm wondering if I'm missing something here. Has anyone experienced issues with purchasing chicks from a backyard breeder?

Backstory: I've been purchasing chicks from a local backyard breeder, thinking it was better to support local business owners. I'd heard mixed reviews on her, but she was very kind and caring about her animals when I stopped by my first time, so I've trusted her thus far. However, I'm on round 3 of chicks from her (usually purchase 5 at a time), and they keep dying mysteriously. I had one confirmed coccidiosis, so after a long break and a lot of sanitizing, I got another round of chicks from her in December. They all seem to get about this age - 3-4 months and start to die off. I'm VERY attentive to nutrition, sanitary conditions, predators, and monitoring health by checking poop, etc. I know chickens can be hard to keep alive, but it seems pretty weird to have so many die on me around the same age.

Anyway, what I'm wondering is if breeding issues like potential inbreeding or inherited traits could be causing problems. Anyone have experience with this? And if my suspicions are correct, can anyone speak to the life expectancy of chickens bought from tractor supply or those online orders?

Sorry, I'm still fairly new to all of this. I always get attached!

She may have marek disease on her property. Very common where I am. They commonly die 3-4 mos. the disease stays on property for very very long time. If that is what they die from you have it and all your chickens are exposed. It passes to other by airborne dander. A necropsy would tell you. Can not be diagnosed for sure without that. In no California we send to UC Davis. They charge$25. Total steal of the year!!good to know what ails your flock! According to Davis vaccinated birds don’t shed the virus. It’s a chicken Herpe virus. Don’t buy anymore from her. Wait couple months and buy vaccinated chicks only. Keep well away fro flock for 2 weeks til vaccine takes effect. Lots of info online. Not all accurate. I would go to UC Davis website. ONCE VACCINATED supposedly they still have the virus but will die from other things and virus might kick in if they are compromised like from cocci or something else. If it’s mareks I’m very sorry. I
Lost my whole flock of 7 when I first got them. I am VERY careful where I get chicks from and never take other peoples hens. I often batch from eBay eggs or
Local eggs and my nurse daughter vaccinates for me. Hope this helps. Also, clean places can also carry. My place is exceptionally clean. But I still have mareks

 

[joydix]

Sorry that was so lomg