New to raising chicks? Learn from my heartbreaking mistake.

[chickory]

I have had chickens for about 10 years, but I made a mistake this week I want to share with y'all. I had some 3 week old chicks out on the ground with the top of their pen over to contain them. I believe it is good to expose them to the ground early so their immunity builds up. However, they will have access to bugs which they are not yet equipped to process. I had a beautiful little Golden Phoenix go from bright and perky to droopy winged lethargy in a space of hours - and then to death within 8. The diagnosis? She ate a bug, was not able to process it and it killed her. It is the only explanation - and since I actually saw her with a smallish worm it was all I could think of being the problem - esp. happening so fast. Her poops were fine, butt nice and clean. No disease symptoms. This was clearly my fault.

I can't pretend it doesnt hurt - but I hope this helps others.

 

[Amyb874]

that is Very helpful! I didn't know they shouldn't have bugs so young!! I've had mine outside a few times, and they went crazy eating ants and things and having a blast! Yikes.... I hope they survive.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Amy

 

[chickory]

thank you, Amy. Its never happened before, I do believe though in the past I have waited longer to let them be on ground. I saw my little Phoenix working to smash the bug and twist it up so she could eat it. up to that point, she was fine. so....

 

[freespiritmom]

So sorry for your loss. Since I am new to raising chickens this information is helpful. I feel like a new mom all over again, nervous and just want my little "babies" to grow to be strong and productive. I will keep my new little ones away from bugs until they are older. Of course they are not here yet 6days and counting. Sorry you had to go through this but thank you for sharing this tip.

 

[Spice Glen Hens]

I'm sorry that happened.

Once I killed my old dog by giving him a slice of pizza like I always did on Friday night.
He was getting old and had kidney and liver problems and loosing weight, and he didn't have long to live.

But he loved his slice each Friday.

His body couldn't handle the fat.

I was so sad about this, that I told my vet, and he said;

"Life isn't worth living without a treat now and again".

That made me feel better.

Spicy

 

[Oceanic109]

I let my chicks out to free range with their mom after a week from their hatch day and they seem fine, they ate bugs of all kinds. Maybe the worm was poisonous? Though my chicks never ate worms they usually eat beetles, moths, dragonflies, roaches and such.

 

[delisha]

I am sorry your chick died.

I am sure you are trying to figure out what happened and what you did, but you did not do anything wrong. Putting them outside was a good thing!! Unfortunately chickens do die for no apparent reasons. Please keep putting them outside and let them be chickens.

 

[chickory]

you are welcome. It hurts to lose a wee chick so sweet and full of promise. good luck with yours!

 

[chickory]

My dog wishes I would give HER pizza on friday nights. I do treat my chicks; but they need to be much larger before they come off their starter crumbles. thanks for your reply!

 

[chickory]

Well, the local chicken expert said that when they were raised by mama hens, it works to have them forage - i mean the mama hen will smash the insects for them. Hatchery chicks are vulnerable. It was this friend that helped me figure it out - all the other chicks were fine. thanks for your reply! I look forward to the time I can have a rooster