- Apr 23, 2014
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I recently bought some black copper Marans chicks from a breeder. When I picked up the chicks I noticed they seemed a little lethargic but the breens chicks from a breeder. When I picked up the chicks I noticed they seemed a little lethargic but the breeder assured me they would be fine. I took them home and put them in tub I had prepared for them and left them alone to rest. couple of hours later I went to check on them and 2 were laying on their sids barely breathing up set I started really examining them and I noticed 1 had crooked beak and 3 more had toes missing and their wing are bigger than the rest of their bodies. They have trouble keeping their balance and 5 of the 8 have died in 2 days! One thing the breeder said to me that I thought was odd is that she used medicated chick starter on all of her chickens adult and chick alike. Do you think this is a result of inbreeding or could it be something contagious? I've tried to call her and she won't return my calls and I'm scared it could be something air borne that could spread to my other chicks.
and Welcome To BYC! So sorry about the problems you are having with the chicks. X2 what TwoCrows said. Do you know anything about her, her name, where she lives etc? Can you take one or more of the dead chicks to a vet for a necropsy or send it off to a lab?