Day olds dying

I received in the mail today 15 day old broiler chicks. They were hatched 8/4/09. I have one dead, another lying on its side gasping for air, and about six more just extremely small, very wobbly and unable to stand. Of the remaining six one is larger and more active than all the rest and the other five are smaller but active. They are under a lamp and have food and water. Its so sad to see them like this.

Is it normal for them to be wobbly after travel? Could it be that the lamp isn't providing enough heat? They aren't all huddled together like they're cold. Could it be dehydration? They each had their little beaks put in the water and I watched them drink when I first brought them home and I've seen them all trampling eachother toget to the water. Have I done enough? This is my fourth batch of day olds and the first time I've lost any. :(

Any suggestions what to do to help them would be greatly appreciated.

It sounds like you are doing the right things. I would notify the hatchery at once...they will usually replace dead or dying ones if you notify them immediately and they should know that you are not happy.

Starting them off with electrolytes in their water helps a lot. or at least put a couple table spoons of sugar in the gal of water. Also I agree with Catscan, notify the Hatchery, Generally they want your business, and that means keeping you happy. Haystack. I went through this where I lost forty six out of fifty birds, and It's heart wrenching. Good luck. Hay

Thanks catscan and haystack. I'm definitely contacting the hatchery. I just lost another one and it looks like 3 more are headed that way. I'll try sugar in the water. I should have thought of that I think I saw you suggest that in another post. At least its a small order, I don't think I would ever raise chicks again if I had to handle a huge loss like yours Haystack.

Thanks again, for the advice.

Well the total is 7 out of 15 chicks have survived so far. I'm saddened by the mortality rate.

oh that is heart wrenching. So sorry this is happening. Sometimes they just don't make the trip well. Poor little things. Hope you don't loose any more.

MsJuris: Things like this are the exception. Sometimes even doing everything right, things go wrong. Please don't let this experience get you down. The fact that it upsets you tell's me you a dedicated and loving caretaker. There will be future chicks who need people like you.

We here at Daves care about you and what you go through. We are glad to have you with us and we support as much as possible. Hang in there darling. Haystack

Thanks Haystack,

It ended with a total loss of 10 out of 15. I don't think I'll mail order again. I'll just wait and get them from the local ag center and let them deal with the losses. Its strange that I can be okay with raising chicks to slaughter for meat, but when little chicks die for no reason or purpose I turn into a puddle of tears.

There are several seasoned veterans on this site who seem very dedicated to the caring and healthful raising of poultry and the sharing of knowledge and experience. Without you, this site wouldn't mean so much to us newbies. The posts on this site have helped me through the uncertainty of the first few weeks to the sadness of the first losses. For that I can not thank you enough.

Marcy

Well Marcy sometimes we wished we could reach through and dry the tears. As a man I must tell you there has been times I have shed a few myself. It's hard, and I know what you mean! I also slaughter at times and have no problem with it, except my favorites, but it just isn't the same is it? Ordering through the mail has it's difficult times, but sometimes you can't get certain breeds anyother way. Any way what happened to you was not your fault, and you keep your chin up because they just don't all turn out like this. My very best to you.

Marcy, sorry to hear about your devastating losses. :-( Please contact the hatchery, they need to be aware of your problem. Afterwards, please leave comment on them to let others know if they are a stand-up company or not. It truly helps out others looking to mail order their poultry.
http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/advanced.php?category=131&cat[158]=131

Thanks, Sue

Maybe ordering during cooler weather might make a difference? Just a short time in a hot vehicle would probably impair the vitality of the embryo, making for weak babies?
Sorry you lost so many... =0(