TSC chicks keep dying despite ideal conditions

[springvalley123]

My local TSC was sold out of the 200-400 estimated chicks they had late last week, and were expecting more tomorrow (Wednesday). The mgr said they have pretty much been getting them on time, not a lot of postal delays. So the continuing postal service delays could be localized or spotty.

 

[tigger19687]

It could also be the temps from shipping.
But really, if you are going to sell animals they should know how to care for them.
The box they sent my first 6 in was big and cardboard slippery bottoms. Come on, at least put real paper towels in so they don't slide everywhere.

 

[kmac720]

Just wanted to update this thread...After talking with our local TSC manager yesterday and today (I’m spending way to much time at TSC, lol) he let me know that corporate is very aware of the issues and have placed some protocols in place with the affected stores to figure out the problem. I’m in the belief that it’s a combo of new brooder learning curve and shipping creating the issue. I feel like technology may be the culprit with the ”easier” brooder vs the stock tanks that are the norm for most of the chicken world when dealing with large hatchery batches. My babies are doing well, I’ve combined the two batches and everyone is living together fabulously! Posting in the ID thread soon so we can get a hint of what we’ve got!

 

[aart]

Just wanted to update this thread...After talking with our local TSC manager yesterday and today (I’m spending way to much time at TSC, lol) he let me know that corporate is very aware of the issues and have placed some protocols in place with the affected stores to figure out the problem. I’m in the belief that it’s a combo of new brooder learning curve and shipping creating the issue. I feel like technology may be the culprit with the ”easier” brooder vs the stock tanks that are the norm for most of the chicken world when dealing with large hatchery batches. My babies are doing well, I’ve combined the two batches and everyone is living together fabulously! Posting in the ID thread soon so we can get a hint of what we’ve got!

Thanks for the follow up!
There is a big learning curve between lamps and plates.
Some of the staff are kinda clueless about chicks in general.

 

[horsekeeper]

I had this problem last year with chicks that I picked up from a breeder locally, TSC chicks, and my own hatched chicks. They would look fine, eat and drink, act a little off and then be dead the next morning. I believe it was coccidiosis. When I treated them with corid the problem ended and the weak looking chicks perked right up.

A few things about this:

Chicks can have coccidiosis without showing bloody poop. There insides are being ravaged and they will die in a hurry.

Coccidiosis can be transmitted through the egg, so no matter how clean your brooder is, they can bring it with them.

Any stress can let the organism get the best of them and shipping must really give it a foothold.

Medicated feed is not strong enough to deal with the problem and Corid is necessary to help them overcome it.

Water for chicks should be warm so cold water does not shock their system. Particularly important for ducklings who drink more and are more at risk.

It helps to add vitamins and electrolytes to chick water for 2 or 3 days to help boost their nutrition and energy. TSC sells it in powdered form and it is easy to mix.

Hope this helps some of you. I have been hatching and brooding for years, so this is based on real experience and a lot of research.

 

[Rc83]

Last Friday we picked up 6 bantam chicks from TSC and went back Saturday to pick up a few more since ours were doing so well. The 5 we brought home on Saturday started dying within a few hours of being home and all 5 were deceased within 24 hours. My 6 from Friday were still ok but I’m very concerned to say the least. The original 6 had a little pasty butt that we were able to control quickly but the second group didn’t even have that issue. I woke up this morning to one of the pasty butt chicks having passed even though he was fine last night. We have been raising chicks for well over a decade and expect a few losses but this is mind boggling and emotionally difficult. We use the heating pad brooder, electrolytes and keep all new babies in our kitchen so we can closely monitor them the first week. I called TSC to let them know the situation because I was concerned something was wrong with the whole batch. The manager was also concerned as he had numerous reports from other stores as well as his own. According to him my chicks came from the same shipment on Friday and my 5 from Saturday were the last oh that batch. I noticed that our TSC had started using a new brooder system and hypotheses that that is a possible culprit considering my Friday chicks had just arrived when we picked them out. I had planned to allow my broody to take over the chicks after the first night but I’m scared to introduce the chicks to my flock even if they make it through. Any insight?

Please consider what they go through after hatching. Stuffed in a box. In large numbers in a cargo plane. In less than ideal conditions. Then shipped by truck to store. Imagine life starting that way. Mortality in chicks can be high depending on the stock. Keep them quiet and the trong ones will survive. Always get more than u want. If they all die then I'd worry it might be the batch of stock.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Coccidiosis can be transmitted through the egg, so no matter how clean your brooder is, they can bring it with them.

Do you have more information on this?

 

[Pat Porter]

I saw a notice from, I think, from McMurray Hatchery that they had received from USPS telling that shipments of live animals should be postponed due to longer than usual delivery times. I thought - How can that work for day-old chicks? You order them well in advance they hatch and are shipped immediately. I'm suspicious your check death if from delayed shipping.

 

[horsekeeper]

Do you have more information on this?

I can't tell you the specific place I found it. I read every thing I could find for a couple of days because I was trying to blame the feed or the shavings under the paper towels in the brooder. Finally found it on a veterinary/animal husbandry/university site or two, but don't remember which ones. Once I knew what to look for I found affirmation in other professional articles, so not just uninformed opinions.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I can't tell you the specific place I found it. I read every thing I could find for a couple of days because I was trying to blame the feed or the shavings under the paper towels in the brooder. Finally found it on a veterinary/animal husbandry/university site or two, but don't remember which ones. Once I knew what to look for I found affirmation in other professional articles, so not just uninformed opinions.

I would be interested in reading those professional articles. I have never read that Coccidia can be transmitted through the chicken egg to the embryo, so would like to learn something.