Down Mulberry Lane

HELP... Chick troubles...

UGH... we're having chick troubles and we've not had this happen before.  It is just awful.  This second batch we've lost 5 or 6 and I have two more that are about to die.  The chicks seem perfectly healthy, then the next time I check, they are weak and their head is floppy.  We separate them and try to keep them watered, but by the time we find them, they are too weak to recover.  Yet, they don't show symptoms until they are about to die.  This batch is one week old, but we started having problems 2-3 days after they came home. 

I think I will boil clean the water dish, but not sure what else to do.  I don't have another brooder area that will work, but I am worried that they will all eventually catch whatever they are all getting and die. 

I'm open to ideas.... this is just really frustrating.  I hate to see the little creatures die, but this is also getting expensive... We planned on selling eggs at Farmer's Market and it looks like our last order was for nothing, but alot of stress and work. 

~Melissa

So sorry...

6:20 PM, February 21, 2007 .. Posted by UnlikelyHomesteader

I hate to hear about your chick troubles. Where did you order them from? Do you think you just got a sick batch? You might try asking the hatchery. Other than that I think you're trying to do the right things - separating them and leaning all of your bedding and equipment. Maybe someone else will be more help.

~Nancy

Untitled Comment

9:24 PM, February 21, 2007 .. Posted by hanemlee

Oh, that's way to bad! Our family's done chickens for awhile, I would have to say, make sure they don't have pasty butt. Kind of a weird name...That's where their poo is stuck to the back of them and it's hard to get off. If they are like that for awhile they will die pretty soon. That's what happened to a few of ours when we first got them...You just have to check them really often.
Are your temps in your brooder ok? I have no idea, I hope you figure out what it is soon.
emy