NEWBIES with Hatchery orders!

[MizG]

I have been ordering chicks now for around twenty years. I'm actually a long time fan and member of byc. BASED ON MY OWN MISTAKES - I would like to STRESS the IMPORTANCE of following the protocall of preheating your brooder/dipping your chicks beaks in warm water upon arrival w/ a sugar water mix/or quick chick/ crushing oats to mix w/ feed, no "lovey" handling for at least twenty four hours and TREATING PASTY BUTT for your newly delivered chicks for the first week to ten days. YES- some of you will get a "sick batch" or a shipment that has weathered a horrible shipping (POOP DOES HAPPEN) - HOWEVER, being prepared is worth its' weight in gold and "pasty butt" usually goes away in a week to ten days. There are videos online to show you how to clean chicks with pasty butt. The main thing is being PATIENT and GENTLE. You WILL SAVE LIVES! I lost chicks in the past because I did not know to address this common problem. For heaven sakes!- don't we all hover over the brooder box like saps anyway??? surely you can observe pasty chick fannies! This issue may have been posted within BYC somewhere but I pray the moderators will bring this to a FOREFRONT to assist new chicken owners. Your chick order may depend on YOU to help them maintain health for their first ten days! GO B Y C and all the chicken people out there!!!! love and luck to all! may we all remember that eggs do come from a chicken's butt and the chicken you buy in the grocery was Not picked from a "chicken tree"- lynn grigg nc

 

[luvmypets]

Very well written

 

[leahlefler]

Our first batch of chicks is due next week - we have the brooder set up (haven't hung the heat lamp yet -that is this weekend's project) and have save-a-chick electrolyte solution + probiotics... does anyone ever pre-treat their chicks little bums with vaseline BEFORE pasty butt appears? I was wondering if this would help... or if I should just inspect and treat it if it occurs.

 

[MizG]

I haven't tried that. It may help but it is pretty easy to clean it once it begins. I do use Quick Chick and chop old fashion oats and parakeet grit added to their feed. I have read parakeet grit is not good but have not seen any ill effects in either my thirteen week old bunch(8) or my three week old bunch(22). It seemed to help solidify the stools. Chopped boiled eggs seem to really boost them also. Good luck with new chicks!

 

[DianaMallory]

Not a newbie really but found your 411 very educating. I just ordered my babies they will be picked up monday. I have a problem with them being handled by the mail services! My own personal feelings but I also live close enough I can pick them up. I have been lucky in the past to have never dealt with this problem and hope that continues in the future, but if it happens I will now be prepared. I had to give up my last flock to care for elderly parents, I am so excited about the arrival of my new flock and brand new coop still under construction but should be chick ready over this weekend.

 

[MizG]

I hate to have live animals shipped as well. Fortunately Meyer and Mcmurray have been very good about giving me a heads up re: shipping. I used the USPS tracking and was able to see exactly when the chicks arrived at the PO and even before the PO could process further and call me, I was at the back door. EARLY... but heck, I was able to get them home, get them settled and make it to work on time. Glad to see you haven't had a problem. I always thought the messy rear would be addressed by the chick. Doesn't work that way. Sad to say I have lost quite a few in my ignorance. The last two shipments have only resulted in two fatalities. Neither was due to untreated pasty butt. One was a weak chick out of the box and the other was a six week old that suddenly died without any signs of illness and not a mark on her. These last 22 from Meyer are about four weeks old, outside(it's been hot here) and wonderfully healthy. Meyer did not do a good job sexing them however. I did end up with at least three roosters that were ordered as hens and my biggest gripe was that these three breeds are extremely easy to sex at hatch. I knew immediately when they came out of the box. Enjoy your new flock!

 

[taffers]

It's great to give newbies all the advice you can! We just got our batch (of 6) yesterday, and one died this morning, and I was TRAUMATIZED. If I could have done anything differently to save her, it would have prevented a lot of heartache! I think she was just sick (she did not have pasty butt), but still, I wonder if there is something I could have done. At least the rest seem to be doing great, and I've ordered 3 more to replace her. Thanks for any and all advice- I'm a big time newbie and feel a bit in over my head!!

 

[3riverschick]

Hi

How to Deal With Travel Stress in Baby Chicks
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/746509/how-to-deal-with-travel-stress-in-baby-chicks
You can use the Poultry and Pet formulas interchangeably per a conversation I had with
the folks at Bovidr Labs who make both formulas. Just one drop by mouth on arrival. And
again very 8-10 hrs. as needed. I put 2cc's per gallon in their water for the 1st 2 weeks
to get them off to a strong start. Tho the formulas are specifies specific, they also meet the
scientific guidelines for a universal dose. So , in a pinch, if you can't find the Poultry Formula
at Tractor Supply or your feed store, you can use one of the other formulas with the same
dosage and usasge as the Poultry or Pet formulas. I try to stay as close to the size of the
animal I am supplementing as possible. Right now I am raising my chicks successfully on
Goat Nutri-Drench.
Best Regards,
Karen and the Light Sussex
in western PA, USA

 

[DianaMallory]

home safe and sound.

 

[leahlefler]

I am so sad. Our Meyer order arrived and 3/4 are dead. Here is our lone survivor. We have to wait 48 hours to make sure she survives, then call on Thursday to get replacements for the three dead ones.


.
The poor babies - I am so sad.


Our lone survivor. Drinking and eating.