One chick left, what to do?

[Skylight404]

Hello,

Last week I bought three chicks from Cackle Hatchery (one bielefelder, one salmon faverolle, and one Delaware). I now realize it was a mistake to buy so few. Two of them (the bielefelder and Delaware) died from mysterious causes that I can’t seem to puzzle out; they died panting and not able to stand, so I assume its some sort of disease, since the temperature is correct. Already tested for coccidiosis in the remaining chick and it was negative.

Anyway, now I have one chick left. I’m unsure what to do now. I don’t think it’s a good idea to just go out and buy more chicks since I don’t know what killed the first ones, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to have a single chick, either. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[sourland]

Shipping is stressful on chicks. Generally if it is shipping stress they die within 3 days of receipt. I doubt that it is an infectious situation and would add some TSC chicks. Good luck.

 

[Iluveggers]

Hello,

Last week I bought three chicks from Cackle Hatchery (one bielefelder, one salmon faverolle, and one Delaware). I now realize it was a mistake to buy so few. Two of them (the bielefelder and Delaware) died from mysterious causes that I can’t seem to puzzle out; they died panting and not able to stand, so I assume its some sort of disease, since the temperature is correct. Already tested for coccidiosis in the remaining chick and it was negative.

Anyway, now I have one chick left. I’m unsure what to do now. I don’t think it’s a good idea to just go out and buy more chicks since I don’t know what killed the first ones, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to have a single chick, either. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Do you have pics of your brooder setup? I would not raise one single chick. Get a few more to add with your singleton. 3 chicks is a small amount to have survive shipping, especially in the winter. Good luck!

 

[Tallisdibrani]

Hello,

Last week I bought three chicks from Cackle Hatchery (one bielefelder, one salmon faverolle, and one Delaware). I now realize it was a mistake to buy so few. Two of them (the bielefelder and Delaware) died from mysterious causes that I can’t seem to puzzle out; they died panting and not able to stand, so I assume its some sort of disease, since the temperature is correct. Already tested for coccidiosis in the remaining chick and it was negative.

Anyway, now I have one chick left. I’m unsure what to do now. I don’t think it’s a good idea to just go out and buy more chicks since I don’t know what killed the first ones, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to have a single chick, either. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Maybe sell him/her where there is more chicks ??x

 

[Skylight404]

Do you have pics of your brooder setup? I would not raise one single chick. Get a few more to add with your singleton. 3 chicks is a small amount to have survive shipping, especially in the winter. Good luck!

Thanks for replying. They didn’t have to go through shipping, actually; I live close enough to Cackle that I was able to pick them up. They lived for five days after that, as well, so I don’t think that it was the travel that killed them.

Here are the pictures of the brooder. It is in the house, literally at the end of my bed, lol. The fluffy cloth is there for her to snuggle in.

 

[Iluveggers]

Thanks for replying. They didn’t have to go through shipping, actually; I live close enough to Cackle that I was able to pick them up. They lived for five days after that, as well, so I don’t think that it was the travel that killed them.

Here are the pictures of the brooder. It is in the house, literally at the end of my bed, lol. The fluffy cloth is there for her to snuggle in.
View attachment 3022301View attachment 3022304View attachment 3022305

Looks like a good setup. What is the temp under the lamp and at the other side of the box?

If you do get more chicks, I would suggest puppy pads on the ground for the first week or two instead of pine shavings. The pine smell can be tough for some newborn chicks. Easy to clean, too, just take the pad out and put in another one.

 

[Skylight404]

Looks like a good setup. What is the temp under the lamp and at the other side of the box?

If you do get more chicks, I would suggest puppy pads on the ground for the first week or two instead of pine shavings. The pine smell can be tough for some newborn chicks. Easy to clean, too, just take the pad out and put in another one.

Thanks for the tip! I hadn’t thought of that.

The temp directly under the lamp is 98°, and on the other side of the box it’s around 85°. Under the lamp is probably a bit too hot for her age, now that I think if it. She seems comfortable, though; doesn’t stay on the cool side of the brooder all the time or anything.

 

[Bantam Mama]

Hello,

Last week I bought three chicks from Cackle Hatchery (one bielefelder, one salmon faverolle, and one Delaware). I now realize it was a mistake to buy so few. Two of them (the bielefelder and Delaware) died from mysterious causes that I can’t seem to puzzle out; they died panting and not able to stand, so I assume its some sort of disease, since the temperature is correct. Already tested for coccidiosis in the remaining chick and it was negative.

Anyway, now I have one chick left. I’m unsure what to do now. I don’t think it’s a good idea to just go out and buy more chicks since I don’t know what killed the first ones, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to have a single chick, either. Does anyone have any suggestions?

That is so sad I’m so very sorry for your loss I hope they will make it right by you..and it also is concerning to me I am awaiting a March 17th order of four speckled Sussex and 10 silkies. I think TSC, Rural King and even Craigslist will have a very nice selection for you to pick from.. Best wishes for you and your flock!!

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x potty pads, good way to keep eye on pooping and not so much mess in their food/water.

Raising a singleton isn't so hard, this is the 3rd time I'm doing it. All times where the owner had a single hatch ... First was a Lavender Orpington that I was keeping until it turned out to be a Roo. Second was a Splash Serama that turned out to be a Roo. Last but may not be the last is another Splash Serama, this time a pullet so she's staying. She sleeps in the house and goes out (patio) during the day.

 

[DramaBrahmaMama]

Thanks for replying. They didn’t have to go through shipping, actually; I live close enough to Cackle that I was able to pick them up. They lived for five days after that, as well, so I don’t think that it was the travel that killed them.

Here are the pictures of the brooder. It is in the house, literally at the end of my bed, lol. The fluffy cloth is there for her to snuggle in.
View attachment 3022301View attachment 3022304View attachment 3022305

Is there any possibility that there is fabric softener or dryer sheet scents coming off the blanket since it is being heated up by the light? And that it gave the chicks a respiratory thing?