Meat Chicks Arrived Yesterday :(

[cluckcluck42]

I forgot to mention they were flipping around really crazy for a couple seconds before they became paralyzed. I tried to help them onto their stomachs but they just couldnt, they were stuck stretched out with their necks out.

 

[holachicka]

I'm so sorry! Did you get them from a hatchery? I don't have any experience with this, but I'm sure some of the experts will help out soon! In the meantime, why not call the hatchery and explain what's happening, they might have some tips too? Good luck and I hope you don't loose any more!

 

[barrybro]

Far from an expert but when you mentioned the crop and puking I have read that shavings that are too small can be eaten and dehydrate them.

Barry

 

[carrlr]

So sorry to hear about your losses. Pine shavings are fine for bedding, just don't use Cedar Shavings. This can cause respitory problems, but not til later in there life. Do they seem to be huddeling around the light for heat or just hanging in the general location of the heat source?

 

[cluckcluck42]

I got them from a local feed store, who got them from a hatchery. Does this sound like Mareks? My googling is leaving me at a complete dead end. It seems mareks only appears 2 weeks plus. I'm at a complete loss.

 

[cluckcluck42]

Quote:
They are not directly under the light, I've raised chicks before but in smaller numbers and they seem to be acting just the same as my other babies. They are kind of just hanging around the light, sleeping where they please. Some are under the light, some are off to the sides, some are wandering. If there was something iffy in the bedding would it kill them this fast?? I know they are pine shavings, but perhaps they contain something else?? I'm stumped.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Sounds like you just got some weak chicks from the start.... when you say 2-3 days... did they just come in from a hatchery? Normally you will lose 1-10 right from the get go within days after they arrive. It just depends on their hatch time and transit time.

Keep an eye on them, after about 4-5 days in your brooder there should be no more loses... however I would be calling the hatchery to get those chicks refunded.

 

[Peep_Show]

Are the feeder and waterers BRAND NEW??? Did you thoroughly wash them first before filling? Sometimes -- depending on where manufactured and stored -- they can have coatings or sprays on them. It almost sounds like a neuro-toxin (like insecticide) reaction.

 

[cluckcluck42]

Quote:
Yeah, we just got them yesterday so they are probably about 2 days old. What is an accepted loss rate with brand new chicks?? Relatives who did this a few years ago lost 2 right away then no losses til they were bigger. I got them through the feed store but I have a good idea which hatchery they are from. They are in the same province as us so the transit would have been less than 14 hours.

 

[cluckcluck42]

Quote:
Yes they were brand new and we rinsed them out a few times. I am going to call the manufacturer ASAP to see. Thank you for that.