Losing Chicks

Jessilee · #1 02/21/11, 03:11 AM

We ordered 15 chicks and 5 ducks - picked up 10 of the chicks Friday. 5 Production Blacks and 5 Black Astrolorps if that matters from Ideal.
Have them in a clean brooder box with heat lamp, they have enough room to chose if they want to be in the light or away from it, fresh water, fresh starter medicated crumbles for chicks.
All seemed to be doing great this morning. This evening, one was lethargic and getting stepped on, moved her and she died shortly after. All the others seemed to be doing great still, then a few hours later, another one did the same thing and we lost it too. Is this normal? We haven't ordered chicks in a long time but I don't remember losing more than one and that was my fault.
I'm getting worried my $$$ in chicks is going to be wasted and am wondering if I should even go thru with the order on the others.
Any ideas?

kasilofhome · #2 02/21/11, 03:47 AM

It happens. how are the rest doing now. I put some sugar in the water. What are you using for litter? where in the brooder are the dead birds dieing. By the heat source. is the food/water dish far from the light? It might not be your fault some time there are just bad shipments. Do contact the company explain the siduation. hows the birds butts? I am going to be up for a bit. I remember when I was ordering chicks by the 100's I had 2 or 3 back to back bad orders.

Jessilee · #3 02/21/11, 03:57 AM

We are using a netted hay type pad they were shipped on and paper shreds. They 2 that died were in different areas when they started acting off but both ended up against the walls once laying down and truely dying - taking their last breaths. All the others seem fine now, but they all seemed fine when the first one died and 2-3 hrs later, there went the other one. I am pretty certain both that have died were the production blacks. Should I seperate the remaining 3 from the astrolorps? Could they have something or are they maybe just less hardy? Do hatcheries usually do anything about dying chicks?

Jessilee · #4 02/21/11, 03:59 AM

Oh, and the food and water are just on the edge of where the heat lamp ends/starts. I also scattered some in the hay thing which is in the heat area and they scratch around and peck it out.

lisa's garden · #5 02/21/11, 08:19 AM

Have you dipped their beaks in the water? Sometimes they don't get the idea of how to drink.

Jessilee · #6 02/21/11, 12:53 PM

Yes and Friday night I sat and made sure all of them were drinking. I don't know what's going on with them.

Cyngbaeld · #7 02/21/11, 02:32 PM

Can you give them some antibiotics? Very likely shipping stress is leading to air sacculitis (pneumonia).

lauriej57 · #8 02/21/11, 05:43 PM

Could they possibly have pasty butt? They will only last for a day or so if this happens, and it's common in the first couple of weeks. Pick each chick up, check their butts, if there is any poo there, take a damp cloth and wipe it off, then make sure they are dry and warm again.

Jessilee · #9 02/21/11, 06:34 PM

Cyng- what kind of antibiotic?

I'll have to check their little butts but the dead ones I removed were clean. I've lost 3 now.

Cyngbaeld · #10 02/21/11, 07:54 PM

Tetracycline should do it.

Jessilee · #11 02/21/11, 08:34 PM

Something like aureomyacin? Can they eat that? How much should I give the 7 that are left?

Cyngbaeld · #12 02/21/11, 09:55 PM

Which one do you have? The concentrate or the soluble powder?

Jessilee · #13 02/21/11, 11:34 PM

I've got the pellets (small pellets) that I keep on hand for the goats and horses if they need it.
Good news is the hatchery will replace the dead ones thank goodness!