Lost a Baby Chick

[ColoradoChicken89]

I got my 8 chicks yesterday in the mail, but sadly this morning I found one of them had passed. It was about halfway under the brooder plate where I found it laying down, and I picked it up to inspect it when I realized it was gone. Yesterday, it was very lethargic and acting strangely (compared to the others), so I had been worried about it most the day. IDK how to explain it "acting strangely" other than it seemed to not be as interested in eating and drinking as the other chicks, and it seemed to be wobbly on it's feet (even more so than a normal chick) and didn't move around much. Not sure if I should be more concerned for the rest of the chicks or not, though they seem fine. They are eating and drinking alright, and as soon as they hear me they come out to the edge of their brooder to be held.

Should I be concerned? Does this happen? This is my first set of baby chicks, so I feel like I'm being overly worried.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Shipping is stressful so losses aren't unusual. Do you have anything mixed into the water to help with shipping stress, like electrolytes or sugar? I'd suggest Poultry Nutri Drench for the first day or two which has some sugar in it to pep them up as well as additional vitamins to give them a head start.

 

[ColoradoChicken89]

Shipping is stressful so losses aren't unusual. Do you have anything mixed into the water to help with shipping stress, like electrolytes or sugar? I'd suggest Poultry Nutri Drench for the first day or two which has some sugar in it to pep them up as well as additional vitamins to give them a head start.

Yeah, I got some with my shipment. I can't remember exactly what brand, but the chicks are from Meyer, so whatever brand they offer when you buy chicks. I did check the ingredients and it was mostly just electrolites and sugar, so I'm assuming it is the same as what you were talking about.

 

[ClickityChick123]

Did you dip their beaks in the water when they arrived? If you don't some can't find the water and die.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

You should only give the electrolyte water every other day at most, and also offer plain water so they can choose which they want. Change both waterers daily and scrub the waterers as well. I find that if I don't wash them with a drop of bleach they tend to smell foul. I actually keep a duplicate set so they can dry out every other day but then ... I am a bit OCD.

 

[ColoradoChicken89]

Did you dip their beaks in the water when they arrived? If you don't some can't find the water and die.

Yeah that was the first thing I did when I brought them home was make sure to get them each to drink and eat a little bit. Most of them took quite a few drinks and ate a decent amount once they got started before getting under the brooder. I placed it right on the edge of the brooding plate just in case it was too cold for them (it was really cold here yesterday) so they didn't have to come fully out to eat or drink.

That one though just kinda stood there after I put her down and didn't move. So I dipped her break one more time, this time she did the "drink" kinda throat motions tipping her beak, but she again just kinda stood exactly where I put her this time just kinda started to lean one side but not moving. I assumed she was just cold, so I tucked her under the brooder. She just basically never came back out until late afternoon, but she didn't eat or drink much. She just would take a few steps, and then stop and would lean to a side for a minute, then take a few more steps. Eventually she took like 1-2 sips of water, and maybe 3 or 4 pecks of food, and then just stopped and stood there for like 10 minutes just leaning forward weird, like she was falling asleep. I placed her back under the brooder plate, but nearest the food/water bowl side before I left them, and sprinkled some of the chicken feed near her feet. This morning though I found her on the completely other side of the brooder plate away from the water face down.

 

[ColoradoChicken89]

You should only give the electrolyte water every other day at most, and also offer plain water so they can choose which they want. Change both waterers daily and scrub the waterers as well. I find that if I don't wash them with a drop of bleach they tend to smell foul. I actually keep a duplicate set so they can dry out every other day but then ... I am a bit OCD.

Thanks! What ratio of bleach (it can be a guess) like a drop or two to at least a gallon kinda thing? I have been curious about sanatizing some things... especially after the weird chick passing. I also have a 2nd set of everything, cause I find it easier to prevent molds and stuff (I have cats and dogs, so it's habit for me lol). Though, I could stop by the store and pick up a few extra waters to give them the option of plain water.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Thanks! What ratio of bleach (it can be a guess) like a drop or two to at least a gallon kinda thing?

I dunno! I just put a few drops in the quart jar, a drop of Dawn dish soap, scrub it within an inch of its life with a bottle brush, especially the threads, use a paper towel to wash the outside, then rinse it about ... oh, I don't know, about 700 times, lol, then set it on a towel to air-dry. I use the same soapy water to scrub the plastic base. I may use the same soapy water to wash the next jar too if I have more than one. I do this in the bathroom because the chicks are in the bedroom opposite.

I have been curious about sanatizing some things... especially after the weird chick passing. I also have a 2nd set of everything, cause I find it easier to prevent molds and stuff (I have cats and dogs, so it's habit for me lol). Though, I could stop by the store and pick up a few extra waters to give them the option of plain water.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm the opposite, I don't sanitize a thing. My flock doesn't have any illnesses as far as I know so I want chicks exposed to the pathogens and germs in their environment to help kick their immune systems into gear.

As far as the electrolyte or nutrient water, with chicks I'd personally offer that as the sole water source to ensure they ingest it, but I would discontinue both after a day or two at most, unless need calls for it. Electrolytes and excess vitamins are not meant for long term usage but in the short term, I want to make sure they're getting it in their system.

From the description of the chick I think it arrived weak and just never recovered.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm the opposite, I don't sanitize a thing. My flock doesn't have any illnesses as far as I know so I want chicks exposed to the pathogens and germs in their environment to help kick their immune systems into gear.

You make a good point and you're probably right! My problem is I have an extremely sensitive sniffer and I simply cannot tolerate the smell.

As far as the electrolyte or nutrient water, with chicks I'd personally offer that as the sole water source to ensure they ingest it, but I would discontinue both after a day or two at most, unless need calls for it. Electrolytes and excess vitamins are not meant for long term usage but in the short term, I want to make sure they're getting it in their system.

Thanks for clarifying. I usually offer it every other day for about four days.

From the description of the chick I think it arrived weak and just never recovered.

Most likely. Chick losses are so common, in fact, that most hatcheries will include at least one, and sometimes two extra chicks to cover possible losses due to shipping stress. That saves them having to ship out a couple extra or, more likely, provide a refund.