Just brought home 20 babies help!

[ChickNanny13]

I gave my chicks sand and it helped with the runs. It is like baby grit. I originally planned on switching to crushed oyster shells but my girls are laying wonderful eggs so I stuck with the sand. Sorry for your loss. I almost lost my rooster bringing them home the trip was hard on him, but he pulled through. Traveling is very hard on the babies. I'm sorry for your loss.

I've read that calcium (layer feed, oyster shells) causes liver issues in chicks, even Roos if they eat too much (layer). Some feed Flock Raiser, All Flock, Multi Purpose feed to their flock, young & old, grit & Oyster Shells in separate dishes. Layers eat the OS as need, I've switched from Layer to FR w/ OS on the side & my shells are nice & firm.

I get 4 eggs from my 4BOs most days, a day or two I may get 3 but they've been laying since Oct. I expected a slow down this Winter, wish they'd take a break, don't want them wearing themselves down.

 

[wvchics]

They say most hens lay through their first summer. I still just use sand. My girls lay very thick healthy shells so I didn't see the need to switch. I do however give them back the crushed shells from the eggs we use with their feed. That seems to be more than enough. Of course my hens get plenty of free range time as well. I read this can greatly increase egg production. I have 10 hens same breed and I'm getting about ten eggs each day. Like you said every so often I'll get one or two less. And yes thanks I didn't specify that it was not Okay to give them oyster shells yet. Not until they start laying. But my shells are plenty thick enough I don't think mine need it. If something changes in the future with egg quality I will definitely add it to their diet, but for now everything is going great.

 

[ChickNanny13]

It's been said "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

 

[wvchics]

That's exactly what I said.

 

[lazy gardener]

thank you all. Despite my efforts 'little chica' died tonight. I'm dissapointed but glad she didn't die in the colder cage at the store and was laying in the warm red light on soft pine shavings instead.

the other 19 seem lively and active and happy, i definately have the brooder set up well, i've done that before, but last time my girls were already close to 2 weeks old when i got them so i never had the experience of such young ones and have the pasty butts, etc. so that was nerve racking hopefully the rest will grow well.

I'm interpreting your statement to say that it's possible that the brooder was not warm enough at the store??? If so, that should never be, and is a warning to all: if the chicks are not being adequately tended at the store, don't purchase them. I've seen a few good set ups by management who knew what they are doing, and I've seen some truly pathetic, negligent set ups by management who were totally clueless.

I'm sorry you lost your little Chica. For PB, be sure the chicks can get away from the heat, and work on decreasing it after the birds are a few days old by following their behavior. Brooding chicks with a MHP brooder eliminates the need to constantly patrol a heat lamp.

Poultry Nutri Drench is a wonderful product for all new chicks. Also, a plug of sod from an untreated lawn gives them lots of advantages, and helps eliminate PB.

When using electrolytes, I recommend offering both plain water AND lyte solution. This is the commonly published ratio:

1. 4 cups water.
2. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.
3. 3 tablespoons sugar
4. 1/2 teaspoon salt.
5. optional: 1/2 packet unsweetened Kool-Aid.

 

[meetthebubus]

Well I think I rescued them, anyhow, if they aren't in the best of places taking them home would be a rescue then so as long as they look healthy enough which they did for me personally I like to take them


My view on chickens, again, personally, is i free range them in a 360 cage 1/4 acre size run, I spend lots of time with them so they will be happy and I'm glad I got them

Thanks to all for your help, warm water and q tips did the job and at least little Chica died in the warm, soft pine chips loved for a few hours

 

[wvchics]

I was thinking the same thing. I probably would have bought them also. If you can save 19/20 that's not bad. Glad to know I'm not the only softy trying to save critters lol. My fiance is always saying they're just chickens, but chickens deserve a good life too. I love all my chickens and I bought them at rural king. Right after I started hearing a bunch of horror stories. I've been really lucky though. I did have one loss a couple weeks ago. One of my hens ate a piece of plastic that looked kinda like whole corn, and she hemorrhaged and died. I was heartbroken, but sometimes things just happen. Don't lose heart. Keep saving critters. I tell people for the few you lose it's the ones you save that make it worth it.