sick chicken, please advise

[scratch'n'peck]

I'm sorry she did not make it. I doubt that it was the wet concrete. That is mostly sand and it sets fast. I would wait a month to introduce any chickens to the flock just to make sure that she did not have something that was contagious to the other chickens. I suppose if you were to get chicks you would raise the for a month separate from the adult flock.

If you wanted more information on what caused her death, most state provide low cost or free necropsy. There is more information at this link if you are interested:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/40141/link-find-your-state-vet-for-a-necropsy

 

[casportpony]

Whatever you do, make sure that they are vaccinated for Marek's. Someone here said that TSC does not buy vaccinated chicks, and that the TSC employees will say that they are. If you decide to get chicks from TSC, find out what hatchery they're coming from and call them. Seminolewind and Haunted55 have lots of good info on Marek's, the vaccines, etc, send them a PM.

 

[Merlin1650]

Is Marek's contagious to humans?

 

[casportpony]

Is Marek's contagious to humans?

No, you're safe!

 

[Merlin1650]

We're going to buy 2 chicks for our 5 yr. old's b-day in early May. Is there a how to section or guide on what we need to raise these chicks and when they are ready to introduce to the other 5 chickens? Our remaining 5 laying hens are RIR and very docile.

Thanks!

 

[casportpony]

Not sure where the best info is, but I would strongly suggest that you only buy chicks that are vaccinated for Marek's.

 

[Merlin1650]

OK, I agree on the Marek's but am not sure where to buy ones that are vaccinated for that.

 

[casportpony]

Most hatcheries will vaccinate for a small fee, but I think you'll have to buy more than 2.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

A lot of the farm stores are not offering chicks any more anyhow. You can order small orders from Ideal Poultry and opt for the Marek's vaccine. I ordered from them and have been happy with my chickens. Here is the link: https://secuservices.com/ideal/newideal/Products.aspx?Category=Brown%20Egg%20Layers

Well, it is the link for the brown egg layers. I checked to see if they had chicks available for early May and they do! So that is one option to explore. There are tips on raising chicks here. there is a whole forum section. But here is some basic info from that section: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/283953/raising-baby-chicks-notable-topic-index-please-review

 

[Merlin1650]

Thanks! I have a sister that lives in Holland Mi. Are you near there? Beautiful in the summer but lots of snow in the winter!