Need Help With This Mystery Behavior

[Georgia460]

Hi Y'all
I received 4 chicks from Meyer mid-October (2 Australorps, 1 Bielefelder, 1 Lavender Orpington). When they arrived I noticed immediately that they were constantly scratching, all 4 of them, it was pretty much non-stop. They were falling over losing their balance because they just couldn't stop scratching.
I called Meyer. Customer Service Rep. said it's possible they could have been in contact with something that irritated them (chemicals?). I did the usual care for all of them with water, feed, heat lamp. They wouldn't stop scratching.
They are now 7 weeks old and from day 1 they have been nut cases, all of them. I've owned these breeds in the past and they've always been laid back/chill but no matter how much time I give them they act like I'm going to murder them. They
scream, run, fly, and generally act like they're scared for their lives. It's not a normal being a little apprehensive; it is outright craziness!
They did stop their scratching after a couple days but now I'm wondering if the Meyer Rep. was right in her assumption and that leads me to question if these chicks should be culled. I don't know how I could do that as I don't have the heart but this whole behavior thing has me greatly concerned.
If anyone has any idea what could be going on and what I should do, please comment. Thanks!

 

[thecatumbrella]

How long were they in the mail?

I ordered some cochin bantams from Meyers this spring. It took them over 48 hours to get here, and I could tell the extra time in shipping took a mental toll. Almost every bird was as you described (anxious, flighty, etc.), despite cochin bantams being a "calm" breed. It was incredibly disappointing.

I wouldn't "cull" cull, but if you're unhappy with the personalities, there's no shame in rehoming with someone that just wants eggs and minimal interaction.

 

[Georgia460]

How long were they in the mail?

I ordered some cochin bantams from Meyers this spring. It took them over 48 hours to get here, and I could tell the extra time in shipping took a mental toll. Almost every bird was as you described (anxious, flighty, etc.), despite cochin bantams being a "calm" breed. It was incredibly disappointing.

I wouldn't "cull" cull, but if you're unhappy with the personalities, there's no shame in rehoming with someone that just wants eggs and minimal interaction.

 

[Georgia460]

How long were they in the mail?

I ordered some cochin bantams from Meyers this spring. It took them over 48 hours to get here, and I could tell the extra time in shipping took a mental toll. Almost every bird was as you described (anxious, flighty, etc.), despite cochin bantams being a "calm" breed. It was incredibly disappointing.

I wouldn't "cull" cull, but if you're unhappy with the personalities, there's no shame in rehoming with someone that just wants eggs and minimal interaction.

Thanks for responding. I, like you, am also disappointed in these chicks. They were at my Post Office in just over 24 hours and I picked them up right away so not long in receiving them.

Noticing you are in New Hampshire and I am in the South so can't be same Post Offices unless the initial one (Cincinnati?) could have had a situation as the Meyer Rep. said. I would really like to find an answer to this "mystery"; if it was just 1 chick I would say possibly genetics but to have all 4 (3 being different breeds) be absolute nut jobs just baffles me.

I have raised chicks for 40 years and have never come across this situation, even when I had the notorious flightly breeds.

Did your chickens ever calm down?

Thanks for the input on culling. I think I will just re-home them to someone who wants the minimal interaction as you said. Don't think I want to integrate them with the rest of my flock.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Did your chickens ever calm down?

Thanks for the input on culling. I think I will just re-home them to someone who wants the minimal interaction as you said. Don't think I want to integrate them with the rest of my flock.

Not really. You always seem to get a bit of improvement at point-of-lay, but they were so wound that they ended up lashing out at each other. All have been rehomed.

 

[Georgia460]

Not really. You always seem to get a bit of improvement at point-of-lay, but they were so wound that they ended up lashing out at each other. All have been rehomed.

Wow! That's been my concern, if they will they calm down once they start laying. Don't think I want to take that chance. Thanks again for responding.