| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| hudsonsinaf |
Posted - Apr 19 2017 : 08:43:08 AM
Hi ladies!! We ordered chicks a few weeks ago and received our order on Saturday... 50 broilers and 25 layers, along with five extra chicks - I think 3 were layers and two extra broilers. Anyways, we have now lost 13, with two more quickly going downhill. We finally heard back from the hatchery this morning... they said our issues are multiple-fold.
1) They got here late... they should have been here before Saturday and could all be suffering rom organ failure and may all die :'( They said that will be an uphill battle.
2) Heating plates are not warm enough for hatchery chicks. Anyone else ever experience that??? We were using the heating plates as they are suppose to be safer than heating lamps, but they say they aren't warm enough.
3) They say we did wrong in giving them grit... I keep reading mixed views on that - some say do it and others say don't.
Anyways... we have lost 7 broilers and 6 layers so far, with two more broilers really struggling. Thing is, the broilers seem to have leg issues and their toes are crying. From the research I've done, that can be due to a riboflavin deficiency. As for the layers... we have no clue what is going on!!!
Does anyone have any advice or suggestions???
~ Shannon, Sister # 5349
Farmgirl of the Month - January 2016
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| DandeeRose |
Posted - Apr 20 2017 : 9:02:30 PM
We use pine shavings. Most do. Don't use newspaper, you can get splayed leg.
Many Blessings- Alicia #5232 FGOTM May 2016
<3 OUR FARM <3
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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
| DandeeRose |
Posted - Apr 20 2017 : 9:01:04 PM
Shannon, no grit when they are tiny babies. They get what they need from a starter. You CAN get tiny chick grit, but it isn't necessary. I never have. They won't need grit for several weeks. Also, a boiled egg YOLK will help them absorb protein they need quicker. Just to give them energy and more calories. Also, sometimes they need their feed dampened the first week or two.
Many Blessings- Alicia #5232 FGOTM May 2016
<3 OUR FARM <3
https://www.facebook.com/WinklerDerBauernhof/
https://derbauernhofsite.wordpress.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DandeeRose Farmgirl Accessories and more!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
| hudsonsinaf |
Posted - Apr 20 2017 : 7:01:37 PM
Hi all! Thank you so much for your help and suggestions!!! After reading some of the feedback, as well as some of the emails I have received, I have realized there is some confusion on what I am referring to regarding the heat plates. Here is a link to explain what we are using - https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/heating-plates-and-covers
Karla - I am so glad you have never had issues with heat lamps, just please be careful! Unfortunately, they are not always safe though. http://www.eastoregonian.com/eo/local-news/20170314/fire-takes-down-another-local-home We will probably start using them for mail order chicks for the first week for now on, but after that, we will switch back over to the heating plates.
I understand the egg yolk thought now - thank you!!! I guess that is essentially the same thing we did with cow liver and brewers yeast! I will definitely keep that in mind for next time!
At what age should you start giving chicks/chickens grit? Also, what do you guys recommend for bedding? We were doing pine shavings, but were recently told that can cause respiratory issues. But then we were told that you shouldn't use hay or straw because of molding issues.
~ Shannon, Sister # 5349
Farmgirl of the Month - January 2016
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
| hoosiercountry |
Posted - Apr 20 2017 : 6:20:26 PM
Hi Sharron,
I totally agree, Heat Lamp, we have used them for many many years, never had any trouble. Week old chicks so need the warmth, and I don't see how a heat plate could really do the job in keeping the chicks warm enough, esp. if they are not directly on it. I have done the egg yokes for protein booster. And I have never heard of giving grit to baby chicks, I asked my neighbor who raises chickens for a living, and she dose not give grit until they are much older. I for one would not just because of digestive issues.
Good luck, I hope you are over the rough time and all goes well from now on. Karla |
| hudsonsinaf |
Posted - Apr 20 2017 : 06:00:35 AM
We are doing ACV in their water. Not sure I want to "out" the hatchery as it seems kinda mean... but we did talk with another friend about it, and every time she has used this particular hatchery in the past, she has always lost AT LEAST 25% of the chicks.... and she orders around a thousand a year!!! And yes Alicia, we did dip their beaks in the water... they have been eating and drinking.
We gave the broilers some brewers yeast in their food and some beef liver (thank you Joel Salatin!) and that seems to be helping, as there are not any more with curled toes or legs that do not seem to want to work.
Heat lamps scare me, as a friend just lost her house due to a heating lamp.
We did not lose any chicks last night :) We did lose the two I was worried about yesterday. So we are up to 15 chicks!
Alicia - why no grit? I'm trying to understand, as both Justin and Joel say to use grit... And what is the benefit of boiled eggs?
~ Shannon, Sister # 5349
Farmgirl of the Month - January 2016
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
| DandeeRose |
Posted - Apr 20 2017 : 03:45:58 AM
Did you dip their beaks in the water when you put them in? Make sure they are drinking. Dehydration will certainly shut them down.
Many Blessings- Alicia #5232 FGOTM May 2016
<3 OUR FARM <3
https://www.facebook.com/WinklerDerBauernhof/
https://derbauernhofsite.wordpress.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DandeeRose Farmgirl Accessories and more!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
| DandeeRose |
Posted - Apr 20 2017 : 03:45:00 AM
NO GRIT! Heat lamp! Get a heat lamp. The first week is critical. Boil some eggs, crumble the yolk and give it to them. Also add a tiny bit of ACV to their water.
If you got them "late" they need to replace. What hatchery did you use?
Many Blessings- Alicia #5232 FGOTM May 2016
<3 OUR FARM <3
https://www.facebook.com/WinklerDerBauernhof/
https://derbauernhofsite.wordpress.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DandeeRose Farmgirl Accessories and more!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
| Kiltie Girl |
Posted - Apr 19 2017 : 6:39:42 PM
We always use heat lamps for our chicks. Never had a problem with them, but we never used heating plates, so I'm not sure there. I know they need high heat, though.
Why did they arrive late?
We've had broilers have leg issues before, but usually after they have grown a bit. And at that point, they were near to butchering anyway, so we didn't worry too much.
***********************
Jenn
Farmgirl Sister #7120
http://viewfromourfarm.blogspot.com/
"Leave room in your garden for the fairies to dance." |
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