Mortality rate?

[CowgirlMama]

Ok, so my DH asked me last night what the average mortality rate is on a "flock" of 25-30 less than week old chicks. We lost one chick this week (out of 34), and we're just curious as to what everyone's experience is with loss rates.

 

[homesteadmomma]

I would imagine these answers will very a lot. But so far with 24 chicks we lost two bantams that were pretty sickly when we got them. One made it a day, the other two. The rest have been happy and healthy, but they were all bought from Rural King. I would imagine shipped chicks might have a slightly higher mortality rate, just due to the stresses in what I would consider the most fragile first days.

 

[33yardbirds]

I just received mine today. Of 25 lost one in shipping rest are scooting all over the brooder. As far as brooder loss I have (are you ready for a self inflicked curse?) I have never lossed any. I do expect loss in shipping. We have no control over that.

 

[CowgirlMama]

Quote:
I would expect loss in shipping as well. I ordered and bought mine through a locally owned feed store. So they weren't shipped directly to me. The one we lost was after they had been in the brooder for almost 24 hrs. I checked the chicks and they were all running around, eating, drinking looking happy and healthy. Then a couple hours later, I went out to check, and found one dead directly under the heat lamp... no signs of pecking, smushing or anything. I'm thinking it was a weaker chick to start, and the stress coupled with maybe falling asleep directly under the heat lamp was too much for the poor thing...

I'm checking more often now, and am keeping a closer eye on things.