The same thing happens every time...

[Katy]

What exactly are you feeding them? The same thing as what you were feeding last summer?

a mash of flax, split peas, rye, sesame seeds, oats, millet, pumpkin seeds, fresh apples, raspberries, lettuce, kelp.​

 

[NewChickieMommy]

Quote:
No no...I know you aren't being mean. I'm doing all of this. We stopped feeding them the natural grains because a friend thought that might be the problem so we switched to the Nutrina Chick Starter and I'm still having the same problems. The only reason I added the ACV, colloidal silver, & elderberry to their water (and only the sick ones) is because they fight viruses in humans so I thought if it was AE, it might help them. And the ones that looked like they were going to die two days ago actually are standing, walking a little (although still off balance), look more lively and seem to be feathering more. So, I guess it could be helping?

 

[ranchhand]

Dang. What a puzzle you have there. ACV with the mother can't hurt. I don't know about the elderberry. Colloidal silver's benefits are questionable still. But that has nothing to do with why they get sick in the first place, since all those are used as a remedy, not initially.

But something isn't right. Thousands of people and feed stores get chicks from hatcheries every year and don't have problems like yours. I was really hoping something would jump out at me, but nothing is.

Are they eating the bedding?

Try switching to plain old tap water. Can't hurt.

for you and me both!

 

[NewChickieMommy]

Quote:
Exactly what I was thinking about the ACV, colloidal silver, and elderberry. I know their benefits in humans...but like I said, giving them to the chicks was out of desperation and they seem to be better.

If I could just figure out what is going wrong...After our experience last spring we decided that whatever disease was afflicting them might be in the wood of the brooder. We threw it out, burned it, and started over. At this time there are 11 of our remaining chicks that seem to be having balance issues. So there are still 60 something birds left that aren't having issues...yet. If they even begin to show signs of imbalance or lethargy, I'm pulling them out immediately. I checked on them a while ago...drinking water...appetites are good and they will gimp over to the food putting a wing down to balance.

 

[Minniechickmama]

I think you are doing everything that any of the rest of us do, according to recommendations on raising chicks.
Here is one question: Where are you? Just the state is enough. Have you always gotten them this time of year? Do you give them electrolytes in their water?
I love the idea of all natural and I would think what you had before plus vitamins and electrolytes would be fantastic.
It does sound like you are getting some chicks at least that are fatal before you get them. If they are dropping over in the first 24-hours, then it is not something you have done.
Where are you putting these chicks? What room and where is the room? In the house? In the garage?

 

[ranchhand]

Not ignoring you, just out of ideas. I'll sleep on it, it's so frustrating for me to not have an answer, a billion times more for you. Keep picking apart the brooding process.

Hmmmm.... did all the chicks over 1.5 years come from the same hatchery? What time of year is each shipment?

I still think the problem is in the brooder though. Off the wall ideas - any kitchen cooking going on nearby, or is stove air going in the brooder room? Air intake filters on central system all cleaned/changed regularly? Do you clean the room they're in and what with? Air freshener? Floor cleaner? Do you air out the wood chips before changing the bedding?

 

[NewChickieMommy]

Quote:
I am in Mississippi. This is the second time that we have gotten them this early...I have ordered from Ideal (this makes the second time), I have ordered from Welp and I have ordered from Estes. No electrolytes in their water but other than the rash of deaths within the first 24 hours...they have seemed really healthy up until a few days ago. Nothing changed We were doing what we were always doing. I have known many people to raise them on the natural grain diet we were doing before and have done it successfully.

They are in our "sun room". It is separated by a door from our kitchen and has two doors leading outside (one directly to the back porch and one to a mud room that is used for storage) so still no drafts. They are in the house, but it's not a room that we use regularly for personal use.

 

[chauqg]

This is what has worked perfectly for me:

Ordered birds medicated for Marek,

Birds arrived - dip each beak in sugar water.

FIrst day - feed available all the time Medicated crumble.

Brooder 4' x 3' 30" oval (no corners) up off the floor covered with cloth to keep heat in and draft out. Removed after 2nd week.

Once birds eating feed raise it up into chick feeder above their backs which is available all the time; then added aspen bedding (changed weekly).

Fresh water quart size also raised to the chick back level and changed several times per day... Water untreated well that we drink from. Have water tested! Might solve problem at least eliminate one variable.

Covered at night and maintained temperature decreases at 5 degrees per week. 100% survive.

Not to be smart, but I listened to people that have successfully raised chicks and followed their advice. My goal was to raise healthy chicks. You have far too many negative possibilities. And it seems as if you are assuming your process is not the problem.

If you continue to do what you have done in the past, you will continue to get the same result.

 

[NewChickieMommy]

Quote:
Thank you for trying...I am seriously just thinking this isn't for me. This is one too many times if the others begin to die off. Right now we still have 60 seemingly healthy birds. No stove air in the brooder room...the vents lead directly outside.

I am in school to be a Naturopath actually so we don't use chemical cleaners at all. We make all of our own soap, cleaners, launder detergent, etc. We recently invested in a steam mop and cleaned the room with a steam mop and only clean with vinegar water or organic spray cleaners. We don't use air freshener. And the only airing out of the wood chips we've done is that they are open and sitting on the back porch.

I think I'm just going to let someone else raise them and buy grown birds...sheesh.

 

[Contessa]

I would sincerely reconsider the use of elderberry syrup. It was noted as toxic to birds on several lists I was able to find.

Certain parts of the plant are known to be toxic to humans as well. I would love to believe that manufacturers are careful when producing the syrup but with so many contamination issues in the last few years I would be extra careful.

Also, natural grain diets are wonderful but problematic with chicks because chicks are so succeptable to cocci...

Hope everyone stays hearty and healthy!