What's wrong with feed store/hatchery chicks this year?

[5Australorpasaures]

I don't know then.
All you can do is what you normally do. Try offering wet feed or grinding feed up smaller.
It's possible shipping stress or rough handling are part of the problem.

Glad you mentioned grinding a little finer. I did that for ours 'cause soon as I saw the size of the pellets I knew they might have a problem.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm so sorry you're experiencing losses. I hate when the littles die. I don't bother getting chicks until April or May. I honestly think it's due to the cold.

 

[DavidReaves]

Glad you mentioned grinding a little finer. I did that for ours 'cause soon as I saw the size of the pellets I knew they might have a problem.

Besides feeding crumbles, I often soak the feed with water (about equal amounts) and the chicks go crazy for it. If you haven't, try feeding them the wet food (mash). It will give them both energy and hydration.

 

[Luv Ducks]

I have seen on here people complaining about their shipments of birds being cancelled by hatcheries due to the crazy weather that some states have experienced. I too think it is possibly weather related that the chicks have gotten chilled and just could not survive that experience. I have bought two ducklings last year from Rural King and they were just fine but the weather this year has been crazy for a lot of surrounding states. Ours is exceptionally warm here in Ohio but many other states are getting freezing temperatures and blizzards. I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[Ometra]

Sounds like shipping stress coupled with failure to connect with food.

Poultry nutri drench.. direct dosed to the beak works more miracles than those probiotic/electrolyte mixes.. in MY experience;.

Sorry for your loss.

Glad your home hatched ones are thriving!

When you direct dose Nutri Drench, do mix it with water first or straight from the bottle? Just one drop?

 

[MROO]

I have to put in a Good Word for The Mill At Bel Air (Maryland.) Contrary to popular belief, there are good, responsible, knowledgeable chicken people working in some places - they're not all just kids looking for first jobs!
I was in there Saturday and a young employee was checking the chick bins for pasty butt. She knew how to treat it, but was asking another employee about dealing with a stubborn little "knot" when I walked in.
Many places have general sales people handling their birds, which results in many sick or icky-bottomed babies in their bins.. This place has real chicken-people, or at least people who care enough about the welfare of their chicks to watch for and treat potential problems. It was quite refreshing!

EDIT to add - No, I don't work there or even live in that area, I was just impressed!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

When you direct dose Nutri Drench, do mix it with water first or straight from the bottle? Just one drop?

Direct dose is undiluted.

For just hatched chicks to about a week or so old, give 2-3 drops twice a day. For older chicks I'd give 3-4 drops twice a day.

 

[Ometra]

Direct dose is undiluted.

For just hatched chicks to about a week or so old, give 2-3 drops twice a day. For older chicks I'd give 3-4 drops twice a day.

Thank you so much for explaining that!