The Quack Shack

[Trimurtisan]

Good morning folks.
Gotta love some ducklings Elly, they're very cute.

 

[Claires Poultry]

Good morning folks.
Gotta love some ducklings Elly, they're very cute.

Good morning and thank you very much!

 

[Trimurtisan]

So I had another chick die. Thi time it was the BA. So out of about $300 I spent on the first hatching, I have 1 chick left... This is beyond discouraging. This makes me want to just get ride of the whole hatching ide and stick with ducks. Are chicken, chicks always so fragile? I don't get it at all, and I'm getting tired of just throwing money in other peoples pockets.

@casportpony
@Eggcessive
@Wyorp Rock
Or anyone else who might be able to help. The chick was fine last night as far as I know. It was eating and drinking, and gaining weight daily. It did have pasty butt, but it's vent was clean, and I was checking it about 6 times daily to clean it. When I got to it this morning it was still warm, and had a mucus coming from it's nostril. The drop on the fabric is from the chick. It was thick, but not quite snot thickness. I've been giving them none medicated starter feed, and nutri-drench in their water. I am open to any suggestions as to what could have happened.

 

[Claires Poultry]

I'm so sorry to hear about your losses.

I understand exactly what you're going through because I struggle with the exact same problems. Chickens tend to be very sickly in my opinion, but ducks thrive. I'm headed down the same road you are - get rid of the chickens and only have ducks.
I don't have any clue what would have caused that, I'm so sorry I can't help you with it.
I pray things get better for you VERY soon!!!

 

[Trimurtisan]

I'm so sorry to hear about your losses.

I understand exactly what you're going through because I struggle with the exact same problems. Chickens tend to be very sickly in my opinion, but ducks thrive. I'm headed down the same road you are - get rid of the chickens and only have ducks.
I don't have any clue what would have caused that, I'm so sorry I can't help you with it.
I pray things get better for you VERY soon!!!

Thank you Elly.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So I had another chick die. Thi time it was the BA. So out of about $300 I spent on the first hatching, I have 1 chick left... This is beyond discouraging. This makes me want to just get ride of the whole hatching ide and stick with ducks. Are chicken, chicks always so fragile? I don't get it at all, and I'm getting tired of just throwing money in other peoples pockets.

@casportpony
@Eggcessive
@Wyorp Rock
Or anyone else who might be able to help. The chick was fine last night as far as I know. It was eating and drinking, and gaining weight daily. It did have pasty butt, but it's vent was clean, and I was checking it about 6 times daily to clean it. When I got to it this morning it was still warm, and had a mucus coming from it's nostril. The drop on the fabric is from the chick. It was thick, but not quite snot thickness. I've been giving them none medicated starter feed, and nutri-drench in their water. I am open to any suggestions as to what could have happened.
View attachment 1890133 View attachment 1890134

I'm sorry for your loss.

Did the other chicks have mucous like that too?
To me, that is quite a lot of mucous from the nostrils, did you notice a bad odor as well?
Respiratory disease would be my best guess, since the chick is quite young, possibly Mycoplasma. This is one of the diseases that can be passed into the embryo of hatching eggs. Getting some testing to find out what you are dealing with would be a good idea.
If you still have the body, refrigerate it and send it to your state lab for analysis. https://www.freshfromflorida.com/Ag...on-Animal-Disease-Diagnostic-Laboratory-BADDL
If your other chick(s) are showing any signs of illness, you can treat the symptoms with an antibiotic like Tylan50.

How is your brooder set-up? Plenty of ventilation?

 

[Claires Poultry]

Thank you Elly.

You're so welcome!
I really feel for you because I went through the same issues and it broke my heart. After you've tried to fix something for 9 years and it still isn't getting better, it gets really discouraging.
I really hope you don't have to go through what I did. I pray that things get better for you real quick here!

 

[Shadrach]

The last chick that died here died from pasty butt. There were some problems during hatching and it looked as if there may have been some internal organ damage. I did do a bit of a necropsy but the organs aren't well enough developed to see any problems is what I found. I expect someone who does necropsy on baby chicks regularly might have discovered more.
I am going to give you some advice. I dare say some will write I'm talking nonsense and cite examples of their successes in support.
Don't buy any more chicks, or eggs from a hatcheries, farm shops or bin sales. The nature of the hatchery business and the volume of sales makes it virtually impossible to monitor for genetic defects and disease. A bit of time spent learning how the hatcheries work should make you realizes the realities of the business.
Put the incubator in the rubbish bin.
Find a local farm or a specialist breeder and buy a pair (male and female) and wait for nature to do what it does.
It doesn't really make any difference whether you view the chicken as stock or pet. Nobody I can think of who is serious about either buys unseen and unknown. If you were to start a pig farm or a cattle concern or buying a dog for a pet, most people I know would want to see the parents and have some information about siblings, keeping conditions, records of diseases and disabilities. Unfortunately the chicken is seen as disposable and worthless and eventually the hatcheries will make this a reality.

 

[Trimurtisan]

Did the other chicks have mucous like that too?
To me, that is quite a lot of mucous from the nostrils, did you notice a bad odor as well?

In all fairness, it was only 1 other chick that died. I was venting about bad hatch rates too I just didn't say it. I don't know if it would make a difference, but the side of the chick that's pictured, was facing down. The mucus was thin enough when I turn the chick over, it ran up over the eye. The other chick did not have any mucus, nor did I notice any bad smells on either one.

Respiratory disease would be my best guess, since the chick is quite young, possibly Mycoplasma. This is one of the diseases that can be passed into the embryo of hatching eggs. Getting some testing to find out what you are dealing with would be a good idea.
If you still have the body, refrigerate it and send it to your state lab for analysis. https://www.freshfromflorida.com/Ag...on-Animal-Disease-Diagnostic-Laboratory-BADDL

I got these eggs from a member here, I'll see if they had any issues with Mycoplasma. Thank you for the link. I should be able to retrieve the body. It is trash day, however the trash man has not come yet.

How is your brooder set-up? Plenty of ventilation?

The brooder is open top, inside the house with a fan circulating air on low. There is a heart cave for warmth. Average temp in the room is 77-78f.

Thank you for your help.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am so sorry Chris it is disheartening.