Problems with Cochin bantam chicks....

[GreySoul]

I had six Cochin bantam chicks that were half frizzle and half normal, I have lost two already and number three looks to be on his way out. It seems that I am only having problems with what I think are mottled/blue Cochin (from privet hatchery, random Cochin bantam only separated by frizzle or normal) and the white/red Cochin are just fine. The suspect chicks are listless and very chirpie but will not eat or drink. However, they were very aggressive in diving under the other chicks to keep warm or some other unknown reason. At my local feed store they were moving fine (Just off of the truck from the freight guy, mid morning). I have the temp at about 90 to 95 so I don't think that temp is an issue. I usually get my chicks from these guys and have reared about 75 normal sized chickens of various breeds with ZERO mortality. But these little bantams are starting to turn me off to the entire line of small chickens with a 50% mortality rate.

Fact summary:

Me:
1 year exp, 75 standard chickens reared to laying

Chick brooding:
Wire flooring with a flat spot and roosts
Dumor chick starter 20%
Tap water (rural Utah)
Plastic feeder/waterers, new
Red heat lamp allowing for cool spots

 

[sylviethecochin]

If your chicks think that they're cold, they're probably cold, no matter what the ambient temp is. Can you move the heat lamp closer, or separate them out with a heat lamp of their own? EDT: Chickens run higher than humans at about 107 F.

Have you tried nutri-drench and electrolytes? Sometimes, that gives them the boost they need. Shipping is a stressful thing.

 

[GreySoul]

Update:

I tried a recommended electrolyte/chick "saver from my local IFA and s/he got better really quick (bad news for sick things). S/he ended up giving up the ghost within two days of my original post. I'm really not liking bantam chickens right now, standard size only for me :/

 

[sylviethecochin]

Update:

I tried a recommended electrolyte/chick "saver from my local IFA and s/he got better really quick (bad news for sick things). S/he ended up giving up the ghost within two days of my original post. I'm really not liking bantam chickens right now, standard size only for me :/

Ouch. Sorry.

 

[Ladybird CA]

I’m sorry for your loss. I’ve raised many bantams and only had a few losses. If you want bantams again in the future maybe let one of the bantam hens raise them (if any turn out to be hens). I’ve had the best luck that way. Did you get 30 bantams? The only ones doing bad are blue or mottled? Might be just the particular strains.

 

[Ladybird CA]

I just reread and it says you got 6. If the other chicks included were standard sized then they could’ve trampled them during shipping or even when they sleep.