The Quack Shack

[Miss Lydia]

I do like @Shadrach idea about buying good stock and letting nature take it's course. For many reasons.

 

[Trimurtisan]

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 leaning 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.

You do have a very good point. I would never buy a different animal without knowing where it came from. Most of my chickens have came from local farms, but the main reason I started buying eggs where to have some O Shamo, which I can't find anywhere in my state. Funny thing about that is the hens go for $150+... I'm currently paying $300 for a single O Shamo chick.
I don't think I'll be buying eggs after this, and just might bin the incubator. ..

 

[Wyorp Rock]

n 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.

I understand, but there should not be mucous.

 

[Trimurtisan]

I do like @Shadrach idea about buying good stock and letting nature take it's course. For many reasons.

After this, I'm strongly considering doing just that. I now have 3 pullets that are near laying age.

 

[Trimurtisan]

I am so sorry Chris it is disheartening.

Thanks Patti

 

[Miss Lydia]

I tell ya nothing better than letting hens hatch their own. They just do such a good job all way around.

 

[Trimurtisan]

I understand, but there should not be mucous.

Well I would have to agree, however I do not understand.

Is it possible that what I'm seeing is just its crop contents? It did have a brownish color like the nutri-drench water.

 

[Kiki]

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 can't read back.

Quick recap?
Where did they come from?

 

[Trimurtisan]

Okay I retrieved the body, and after looking at it closer, I do no think it i mucus. What I saw this morning, was thicker that what is there now. What I am seeing now is about as thin as water, and has more of a red tint vs brown.

 

[Trimurtisan]

I can't read back.

Quick recap?
Where did they come from?

Hatched here in an incubator, eggs came from another member.