NEW BABIES-SOME NOT DOING SO GOOD.

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carolinagirls

carolinagirls

In the Brooder
11 Years
Jan 22, 2009
16
0
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:(Hello Friends I am a new member to BYC. We got babies this AM from McMurray Hatchery. We have lost 8 already. I gave them sugar water and electrolytes as soon as we got them home. I also gave them grogel. 7 were DOA. We now have 4 more that aren't doing so good. I have the heat lamp on them it is 90 degrees in the box. I checked for pasty butt only one was dirty,which I cleaned right away. They seemed okay for awhile then they just fall over. Thank goodness the rest are eating and running around.
If anyone out there has advice PLEASE HELP,
carolina girls
 
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I am so sorry you are having issues! Please call MM and tell them ASAP what is happening. Do you have it warm enough for them? Are you feeding them starter? Do you have them on shavings or what are you using for bedding? Are their little bottoms clean? Do they seem to be drinking and eating? Are their eyes clear?
 
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I have it warm enough the is reading 90. The chicks are not crowded togerther. I did dip their little beaks in sug water we are feeding chick starter and grow gel. I think the trip must have been too much. This is heat wrenching. I will call McMurray,
Thanks
carolinagirls
 
Welcome. If you search some of the threads you will find that many people have had the same thing happen. When they are shipped on a Sat. especially as they end up stuck somewhere on Sunday extending delivery time. It is also still very cold and not being able to tell where you are I can't know if cold was a factor.

Next time you order ask for a specific shipping date that is on a Monday (no holiday) so that they are not going to get stuck over a weekend.It is also better to wait until the end of March or early April so they won't be exposed to such cold weather.


Call MM as you are not the first to let them know this has happened and make sure they replace your chicks.

Sugar water is not good for them. They should have a powder with electrolytes and vitamins in their water. Can be purchased at any feed store.
Are you feeding medicated chick feed ?
 
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I agree with "chicken women". It sounds like they have travel stress. You may want to give them a bit more heat by lowering the lamp, or using a heat lamp. Where do you live? i.e., a Northern climate?. Did they drop the chicks off at your door or did the PO call you like they should? Make sure you request that when you call McMurray back.
 
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I think they must have had a rough journey and that it's not your fault. Having that many DOA is a bad deal.... I agree with Chicken Woman...if they want to replace your shipment hold off for a month or so, just to be safe.

Fresh water with vitamins, starter feed, clean bedding and maybe a snitch warmer if you can do it... I keep them very warm that first week after they hatch.

Are they in a draft free place? I put mine in the deep bathtub, so there isn't a draft.
I hope the rest of them thrive for you!!!
Hugs!
 
:DThanks Y'all! I did call MM they told me they were exposed to the cold too long,give the weak ones karo syrup or honey and call them back on Thurs. I should in a day or 2 change water to terramycin so the rest won't get sick. I live in SC it usually is not this cold here. I will wait unitil end of April for replacements,however my husband has had enough. He loves animals and thinks this is cruel to ship baby chicks. I don't know how else to get the breeds you want. You can't just go to the store and buy them.I just hope the rest make it.
Thanks for caring all you chicken lovers.
carolinagirls
 
the terramycin will do nothing, as the chicks arent sick. terramycin is an antibotic, and giving it to them when it isnt needed will make the terramycin less effective or not even work when they need it. Just use vitamins and electrolytes in the water for a couple days.

good luck.
 

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