WWYD? Chicks Dying...

[fshinggrl]

I got my chicks just over a week ago on the 26th. I picked up 9 'day old' chicks (3 EE, 3 Barred Rocks & 3 Light Brahma) from a 'local' hatchery through a store. I hatched out 4 chicks (1 EE & 3 Welsummer) myself on the Saturday previous. On the 25th, I picked up 3 Columbian Wyandottes - two of which are a week or so older, at a different store. So, that is 16 chicks total from 3 different sources.

I have lost 5 (YES FIVE!) chicks. They were ALL picked up from the local hatchery which had been delivered to a local store. 2 BR's (they were all pretty small, so I wasn't too surprised), 2 EE's & now this morning a light brahma.

My temps have been good, they are in a container big enough for them and I even added a roost yesterday so that makes 'more' room.

Now I could understand that it might be me, and perhaps I am doing something wrong if it wasn't for the fact that the ones who are dying are ALL from the local hatchery. I got chicks two years ago and I lost one. There is no pasty butt going on.

I have spoken (on phone) to the store and the hatchery and they are no help. What would you do? I do not know the policy about dying chicks at this store. I know the place where I got the wyandottes have no refunds on chicks, which I understand. I think I am pretty good with animals/chickens and follow directions and know what is good for them. Yet they are still dying. I am afraid to go into the laundry room to find more dead chicks.

So, if you've read this far, would you go to the store and talk to them about a refund? It wasn't a big deal when I had spoken to them 2 days ago when it was 'only' 3 chicks who had died, but this morning when I found the fifth one dead.. I'm starting to feel it in my pocket.

Thanks...

 

[gritsar]

So sorry about the chicks.

I would go back to the store and talk to the manager. Explain the situation, just like you explained it here.

Good luck.

 

[epeloquin]

I agree, I would go speak with a manager or better yet, an owner. I know my local feed store sells chicks only so they can capitalize on the business for feed, feeders, wood shavings etc. They really don't make anything to speak of on the chicks. That being said, it would behoove them to do right by you on these chicks. And I would have no problem telling them that if they want your business on the other stuff (with nice profit margins) then the should do you right on the chicks. Actually, if I were the store owner or manager I would demand a refund from the hatchery.

Go in there and

and if they don't give you satisfaction then

and tell them you won't buy anything from them anymore unless you're satisfied and he'll be like

and realize that to argue is like

and hopefully he will give you some

that will grow up like

and lay lots of eggs

. then you could tell him how happy you are

and he'll be like

and you can

and tell us all about it. If it goes well we'll

and if not then we'll

. If none of that works then look him straight in the eye and do this...

. Being mature always works

 

[AZSummer]

I think I would also wash the brooder out and maybe separate out the chicks into different flocks if you have room. If it's contagious you've taken some steps. I'm brand new to chickens and have no reason to believe it is something contagious. It would just make me feel like I've done something.

 

[Wayne&Kim1963]

I would wonder temps of brooder and anymore I add 1 cc of tylan 200 to quart of water on brand new chicks seems to make great big difference on me loosing any. I also buy packets of vitamins for starting chicks at atwoods. I will boil eggs and take potatoe masher and mash them and add uncooked oatmeal and crush it in egg. It is like candy to chicks and gets them to eat better but in new chicks can cause stool to bunch up on rear end and you have to watch for it to clean it off so they don't get plugged up.
If I ever end up with chicks dying I also add teaspoon of sugar to water it gives them energy to live.

 

[Wayne&Kim1963]

give weak babies drinks of water too with sugar and tylan added. They are either too hot or too cold or have a bug. I would put thermometer in brood box and check it and add medicine to water then you should have it covered. I would also give each one drink of medicine water by putting bill in water gently and letting them get their heads up to make sure they got meds. That way you can get it stopped.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Never mix chicks from different sources without a minimum 2 week quarantine.
I'd separate them immediately and try to find out what's killing them.
Any bloody stool?
To start, give some plain yogurt for probiotics, organic ACV in the water 1 tsp per gal.. Keep feeders at least half full. Keep bedding dry and replace any that's wet.

edited to add: you'll know if they're too hot as they'll stay away from the heat lamp and be restless. Too cold and they'll crowd together.
This is a better approach than trying to find the temp sweet spot, especially since they're various ages and breeds.

 

[Shifty Joe]

Is there any thing special regarding their food and\\or water? such as medicated feed or vitamin\\electorates added to the water?

 

[fshinggrl]

Quote:
They're on medicated food and vitamins are added to the water.

 

[Tikkijane]

Quote:
They're on medicated food and vitamins are added to the water.

I agree to check on temp in the brooder. Yogurt is good. I assume the vitamins in the water come with directions and that they aren't getting too many vitamins? Have you tried plain water? Everybody eating and pooing?

How are they acting? Am I reading it right that the ones that are dying are the ones you personally picked up from the hatchery? Or they were picked up (as opposed to mailed from the hatchery) by the store at the hatchery?

So, the ones you hatched are ok, as are the third batch of chicks- it's only the first 9 from the hatchery that are having issues? I also would definitely separate until you find out what is going on.

So sorry to hear of your troubles!