NEED HELP, Chicks all dying

[mnfarmmom]

Our 35 chicks were hatched on the 25th, delivered to us on the 26th. Within 30 minutes of us getting them home, 2 were dead. Since then they continue to die. We now have 9 left and we haven't had them one week yet. They get really sluggish, lay down and can't seem to get back up. Most seem to fall over on their sides and then can't move. They seem to be breathing really hard, like they are really hot. The temp is about 95. They have clean water and feed. I started them out on newspapers and then about 4 days home I put woodchips in their house. They are getting some electrolytes in their water. I just read about ACV, so I put that into their water now.

Any suggestions, please? I don't know tons about chickens, we are slowly learning, but we have raised chicks for broilers many times and last fall 27 laying chicks. I've never had this before and I'm quite confused.

Thanks

 

[LaynaDon95]

Have you contacted the hatchery? If not, do it ASAP. The longer you wait, the more they will think it was something you did. I don't know what's wrong, but the hatchery needs to know so they can do something about it. Even if all they do is credit your account.

 

[aggiemae]

We lost two of our six chicks the first day the same way. The two that died were in the same brooder at the feed store.

I am new at this too but the electrolyte water is a good ideal. We origionally set our brooder at 95 degrees and I do know that our chick did not like it that hot. We cooled the brooder down five degrees every few hours until they stopped avoiding the area under the light, which was at 80-82 degrees. They all started to eat and drink more and were more active when the temp was down.

 

[mnfarmmom]

Thank You. I did call them and they will send me more chicks, but I wish I knew what is wrong this time.

 

[mnfarmmom]

Thanks, maybe I'll see if they need it a bit cooler

 

[LaynaDon95]

I guess that's a good place to start. I really don't know what's wrong with them with the symptoms you described. Maybe Aspergillosis? Have you looked that up? Hopefully it's just that they are too hot. Are they all acting lethargic all the time? Or is it sudden?

 

[brahmamama2010]

We ordered chicks from a certain hatchery last year they had put to much hay in the shipping box and the chicks had overheated during the shipping process we lost 300 chicks in a week. Dunno if this happened to yours but maybe it will help

 

[crayon]

Wow... that is very strange. I have found that chickens are pretty rugged For example- I have 5 day old chicks that have been running around outside for 3 days now with their mama- but have no feathers yet. Today it was warm, but yesterday it was in the 40s and they had no issues.

I have had some die from shipped ordered- last year I got 12 had 2 die. One on arrival and one about 7 days in. But, it was weak from the start.

Heat will kill them for sure- is there space they can get away from the heat lamp? The best bet is to have a large enough area that the temps can change if they move- so if they want to be under the heat lamp they can, or if they want to be less warm they can move over to another spot.


The numbers you are talking about are not normal by any means. See if you can find a local farmer or 4-H or FFA group and contact them- they should be able to help you. Also ask at a feed store- not TSC- but a true feed store. They can help you.

 

[Aeropennchick]

So sorry to hear about the loss of so many of your little chicks! I hope things go better with your next bunch!

 

[cary 1973]

I would lower that temp asap watch birds to see where there happy