⠀ Medicated Chick Starter vs. Nonmedicated Chick Starter

[Ridgerunner]

I can’t find anything wrong with any of that. Sounds like you did everything right.

They were probably hatched on a Monday night-Tuesday morning, shipped Tuesday morning to arrive Wednesday. That would put them about four to five days old when they started dying. Chicks can normally live off the yolk they absorb that long, but that’s about when it runs out and they need it eat and drink for nourishment. Some chicks suffer from “failure to thrive”. That’s a way to say they never learn to eat or drink so they die.

I’ve received about 70 chicks in the mail over the past several years, I normally hatch my own. I’ve only lost one of those shipped and that was the time frame mine died. I assume failure to thrive. But losing five out of fifteen just does not sound right for failure to thrive. I really don’t think that is it. That’s way too many.

I assume you know what pasty butt is? That can happen with chicks, especially shipped chicks. Their vent becomes blocked with dried poop and they can’t poop. If that were the cause that would have been fairly obvious. I think you would have mentioned it.

I’m grasping at straws. I really think it had something to do with that feed. I’d get rid of it. Do not feed it to any of your other chickens and do not compost it since you don’t know what is wrong with it. Just get rid of it. And clean the containers.

 

[DrMikelleRoeder]

Medicated and non-medicated feeds are the two primary options in complete starter feeds. The option you select should be based on whether or not your chicks have been vaccinated against coccidiosis. Feed a medicated (with amprolium) starter feed to those not vaccinated for coccidiosis and a non-medicated starter feed to chicks who were vaccinated for the disease.

Without inspecting your birds, we can’t diagnose a reason for the deaths. In cases where multiple deaths occur, we recommend working with a local veterinarian to inspect the deceased birds so that a proper diagnosis can be obtained and an action plan can be in place to avoid future losses.

For flock owners sourcing their birds from hatcheries, we recommend asking hatcheries to vaccinate chicks prior to shipment. To prevent potential disease problems, purchase chicks from a credible U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean hatchery. Ensure the hatchery vaccinated chicks for both coccidiosis and Marek’s Disease, a Herpes virus found in poultry.

Because coccidiosis and Marek’s Disease can impact chicks at a very early age, the vaccinations should be provided at the hatchery in the first few days of life.

If chicks have been vaccinated against coccidiosis, a non-medicated complete feed can be provided. Select a complete feed that includes: enhanced amino acids to promote early chick development; prebiotics, probiotics and yeast to support immune health; and a balance of vitamins and minerals to support bone health and bird growth.

Transit stress can also affect young chicks. If they are held up during shipping due to weather, or left in a cold room for any length of time, they can experience stress that leaves them weakened, even to the point of dying several days later despite being put into a warm brooder with all the feed and water they need.

Hope this helps! Let us know if there is anything else we can help you with.