I would only offer pure water for the first week. Then diluted vitamins. Save a chick sounds good, but I would dilute that 1/2 the dose as well.
Chick sales have increased enormously in the last 5 years or so. Probably close to 1,000%. To keep up with demands, I'll bet hatcheries are getting eggs from less quality hens and overworked hens. There are many reasons for deformity, death, and illness if the hens are in poor health or overworked.
One of the things that happens every year that causes dead and dying chicks is that people order chicks when it's too cold. Heatpacks and larger orders can only do so much. Cold stress will kill them. But people keep ordering when it's too cold . Day old chicks Need temps around 90 degrees. How long is shipping exposing them to far from that? Hatcheries' guidelines mostly go by average temps. But sometimes it's just not safe enough.
More chicks each year are added to established flocks, flocks that contain chickens from various sellers. Even quarantined, they are contaminated. Larger flocks mean more carriers of more diseases. And more concentration of illness.
Hatchery chicks are hatched at the hatchery, sorted , and shipped leaving no contact with older hens that have been exposed. NPIP certification covers most diseases that can be carried thru an egg.
A Closed flock has far far less risk. Only hatchery day old chicks, or incubating eggs yourself from an NPIP certified seller. And never buying chicks/hens from other sellers. Sad but true. If you can't incubate, get a few non exposed silkies. They will incubate and raise many chicks of any breed.
I commited myself to a closed flock. Broke that commitment with one pullet 3+ years ago, and since that time have had multiple deaths from Marek's. It only took one chicken. I lost many many chickens and a batch of 10 chicks .
Chick sales have increased enormously in the last 5 years or so. Probably close to 1,000%. To keep up with demands, I'll bet hatcheries are getting eggs from less quality hens and overworked hens. There are many reasons for deformity, death, and illness if the hens are in poor health or overworked.
One of the things that happens every year that causes dead and dying chicks is that people order chicks when it's too cold. Heatpacks and larger orders can only do so much. Cold stress will kill them. But people keep ordering when it's too cold . Day old chicks Need temps around 90 degrees. How long is shipping exposing them to far from that? Hatcheries' guidelines mostly go by average temps. But sometimes it's just not safe enough.
More chicks each year are added to established flocks, flocks that contain chickens from various sellers. Even quarantined, they are contaminated. Larger flocks mean more carriers of more diseases. And more concentration of illness.
Hatchery chicks are hatched at the hatchery, sorted , and shipped leaving no contact with older hens that have been exposed. NPIP certification covers most diseases that can be carried thru an egg.
A Closed flock has far far less risk. Only hatchery day old chicks, or incubating eggs yourself from an NPIP certified seller. And never buying chicks/hens from other sellers. Sad but true. If you can't incubate, get a few non exposed silkies. They will incubate and raise many chicks of any breed.
I commited myself to a closed flock. Broke that commitment with one pullet 3+ years ago, and since that time have had multiple deaths from Marek's. It only took one chicken. I lost many many chickens and a batch of 10 chicks .
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