Overall survival rate?

[Weasleymum]

Question for those here that have raised up many chicks: what is the overall survival rate? Because everybody comes here with their problems and concerns, it starts to feel like the hardest thing ever just to raise a few chicks to adulthood: nobody posts to say, 'yep, all 10 of my new chicks made it and are in the coop now!' and it seems like every chick has pasty butt. So:

*All other things being equal, what percentage of a batch of chicks will live?

*What are the most important factors? (my guess is that it's the source of the chicks-- mail order, big box store, backyard breeder, etc.--, and the condition upon arrival...)

*At what point do you consider them as safe/ no longer at risk for chick-specific problems?

 

[Judy]

I don't know what a number might be -- but, most chicks live, and probably most members here basically have a healthy flock. Of course on a forum where sick chickens are discussed at length, it's easy to forget that many of us never see most of these problems. I will even stick my neck out and give you some guesses. Probably at least 24 of 25 chicks will live. Probably the most serious threats, besides the occasional genetic defect, is shipping stress and management mistakes in their first few weeks. I've read that pasty butt is at least partly related to digesting the yolk sac, which I assume is somewhat constipating. It's common for waterers to get saturated with shavings or simply overturned with new chicks, which of course would also be constipating, by cutting down their water supply.

You might be interested in this article, which is in the sticky on the Raising Baby Chicks forum:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/39604/some-causes-of-early-chick-mortality/0_20

 

[sumi]

It's true, what Flockwatcher said. Most people don't say their chicks are doing well, they post if they have problems! It's hard to give a percentage really as there are a lot of things that causes chick mortality. I've lost chicks to pasty butt, mystery deaths, chilling, accidents, aggressive older chickens, predators... But I've also raised many chicks to adulthood. If I have to take a guess I'd say I've lost a very small percentage of chicks to natural, unpreventable causes.

The biggest factors are heat, food, water and safety. They need to be kept warm enough, have food and water all the time and be protected from predators and possible accidents.

Chicks specific problems... 6-7 weeks I'd say. They'd outgrow pasty butt after 2-3 weeks and by 6 weeks they'll be tough enough to handle colder temperatures, and some pecking. This is also more or less the age when hens wean their chicks and consider them able to look after themselves without constant attention and care from her.

 

[ocap]

I purchased 100 partridge rocks in the spring of 2012 and took 95 to the processor, lots of chicken in the freezer with USDA stamp

 

[cabot]

Over three years I've raised only twenty chickens. Only lost one chick at 3 days old, just didn't thrive... Two batches were mail order and the one lost from the last batch was feed store.The rest all survived easily into adulthood. Lost three adults to hawks

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I totally understand where you're coming from! I began to lurk here months before I got chickens and - after reading about all the problems with chicks - was so afraid to try it that I purchased pullets. Figured I'd see if I could successfully manage to handle almost grown chickens before venturing into chicks.

Almost a year later I decided to try chicks. I wanted 4 chicks but decided to get 6 as I figured I'd lose a few. Well, those 6 chicks are now five weeks old and are happy and healthy [knocking wood here]!

Most of the time, people with chicks are going to post when they have a problem or issue. I'm convinced that problems occur with a very small percentage of overall chick owners. I think we just have to keep that in mind and hope for the best while being prepared for the worst.

 

[kortmom]

This is a great question! I am a new chick mom and have six that are six days old. They are all healthy and active and I can't imagine one of them just getting sick for no apparent reason because they just look so good. I feel like the odds are in my favor, especially after reading this post, that my six girls are going to grow to be happy, healthy adults. I check on them about every hour or two, watch the heat and their behavior in the brooder, I am constantly putting down new paper towels and cleaning out food and water dishes. I don't know what else I could do.

 

[annav410]

I had the same concerns so since I wanted 6-8 chickens, we purchased 9 from the local feed stores. I wanted to pick out healthy chicks and didn't feel I had the experience to do mail order for the first time with chicks. I fretted and worried and luckily only dealt with one minor case of pasty butt. We have nine very healthy and happy 10 week old chicks. We haven't had to deal with injuries, illness, or pecking order issues. What I do know is that when we do have issues, I know this site will provide a wealth of information! After going through my first time with baby chicks, I think I will be more comfortable doing a mail order in the future and will understand that I might have some losses due to shipping stress, etc and will be better able to handle what comes up. Take the leap! If you do lose a chick or two, you will be able to come here for comfort and advice and more likely, you will be able to share your successes!