What percentage of chicks normally make it?

[brewer12345]

In my first attempt at any kind of poultry, 2.5 weeks ago I bought 28 day old (or so) chicks from a breeder I found locally on craigslist. I am down to 19 today. I expect to make some mistakes as I learn, but this seems like a high loss rate. No idea if these guys are horribly inbred or something. I have done all the stuff one is supposed to do, although I have shied away from medicated feed on general principal. Is my loss rate unusually high? Maybe I am doing something wrong? We plan to try incubating some mail-order eggs next to add to the flock and hopefully learn the process.

 

[I Love Layers]

It is unusual. I got 45 chicks from a hatchery through the mail and only lost 3 so far, and they were weak to begin with so I think everyone else will make it.

Are you offering chick grit? What are you using for bedding? Are you adding electrolyotes to the water?

 

[brewer12345]

Yes, I am offering chick grit. Bedding is aspen shavings changed regularly. Have never heard of adding electrolytes to the water.

I have no doubt that a few of the losses are my not knowing what I am doing.

 

[I Love Layers]

How fine are the shavings? If they digest to many it can clog them

 

[eggbert420]

Did you teach them how to drink?

 

[brewer12345]

Big size shavings, no worries about them eating them.

They drink like crazy.

 

[I Love Layers]

Have you contacted who you purchased them from>

 

[brewer12345]

Nope, have not contacted the breeder. Only just dawned on me that this might be out of the ordinary. I probably will just source my birds from elsewhere in the future.

 

[lomine]

You are referring to quail chicks, correct? What are you feeding them? What is the current temperature of the brooder? What are you using for a heat source?

 

[brewer12345]

You are referring to quail chicks, correct? What are you feeding them? What is the current temperature of the brooder? What are you using for a heat source?

Yes, coturnix quail chicks. I started feeding 18% protein chick starter because I could not find game bird starter. Then I found a 22% protein meat bird feed and switched to that. I just found out that a local store carries a 24% game bird starter, so I will get some of that and switch to it. Knowing that I have been under the recommended protein level I have been supplementing with dried mealworms all along.

I am using a 250 watt bulb for a heat source with a red bulb. Don't know the brooder temp, but have kept the lamp low enough that they are not huddling up from the cold or complaining.