New chicks are dying

[Outhouser]

A internetless friend of mine has week old rare breed chicks he ordered from a reputable hatchery that are dying. He has lost 4 so far in the past two days. None of the birds appeared to have had a rough shipping experience and all seemed fine and healthy for the first three or four days. From what he tells me, it sounds like his brooder, water, and feed are all on track and more than adequate. His temps are correct as well and no drafts. He is using a commercial brand of medicated chick starter, the recommended amount of sugar in one waterer and plain water in another waterer and changes all each day. He also washes his hands before and after handling them. All of his equipment is new and has never been used by previous birds. This is his first time at raising birds and he is really freaking out. I've told him that loss can be expected and that they are fragile but this is starting to seem like something more serious is occuring. I recommended that he change his feed, bedding, and to get the water soluble medication for chick starting to add to his water instead of plain sugar. Any ideas?

 

[MamaRoo]

Are they too warm? Chicks like fresh air, and access to heat when they want it. Mine are outside with their mom in the 45 degree air. When they want to warm up they all start peeping for mom to fluff out and let them take a cozy snuggle nap.

 

[Eggcessive]

I think we never know what chicks go through before we get them in the mail. They may be stressed from too cold, too hot, too crowded, to long a trip, etc. There may have been problems at the hatchery. Your friend seems to be doing the right things, and the Save-A-Chick is a good idea. When I have ordered chicks I usually buy some of the Gro-gel that the hatcheries offer. It is just a 1 time thing but it contains electrolytes, protein, vitamins, and good bacteria for the bowel. One packet is for 100 chicks, so you can mix a little for each new batch, and they love the green slime when you did their beaks in it. Unfortunately your friend may lose a few more since they seem to have suffered stress.

 

[BooBear]

Also, if he reports losses within the first 72 hours most hatcheries will replace the lost chicks.
Hope the chicks are able to pull through for him without anymore losses.

 

[Outhouser]

He has two brooder lamps set at different heights for varying temps underneath plus plenty of area for them to get away from the heat. He's taking out the bedding now, which was pine shavings, in case that was tainted or in case they were eating the small bits instead of their food. I've used gro-gel before, but he did not use anything along those lines and is going to purchase some today. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[gracierooster]

If the chicks are gathered around the heat source, they are too cold, If they are spread out to the farthest point from the heat source, they are too hot. If they are scattered around their enclosure, some near the heat some away, they are just right.
When you get chicks from the mail, you need to insert their beaks into the water for the first time to get them started. Good luck

 

[Outhouser]

yep, know all that, the temp has not been the issue, beaks were dipped and he's seen them all drink and eat. They don't show any symptoms up until about an hour before dying. It started with what appeared a similar breed and has now spread to other breeds.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

did he have some of the chicks vaccinated, by chance?
Sometimes a vaccine won't "take" and that will do it, also if some were and some weren't the unvaccinated chicks are at risk of getting whatever he vaccinated for, if they weren't seperated at least a week.

 

[Outhouser]

He didn't mention if they were vaccinated or not. I'll check with him on that. Thanks for the new lead!

 

[Outhouser]

Update: He hasn't lost any more chicks. The only change he has made was the removal of the bedding. It was pine shavings from a commercially available source. I told him that it was possible they could be eating the small bits of that instead of their food. Or that it could be tainted bedding. So far so good.