We went to "TSC" on Thursday and got our meat chickens. We called to find out when they were getting them in and they said they already had some, at 0.75 cents each. That is cheaper than we got them before so we got 30 for us, 30 for my sister and 7 layers for us too (we have the setup, so we raise them for my sister). I fed and watered them this morning and all was fine. I went to feed and water them again tonight, and 23 were dead and another I had to cull.
I'm not a happy camper.

Return them......

Chicken nuggets

what happen tony just bad birds or did they find a cold spot in your hutch

Sounds like they may have gotten too cold.

Sounds like coccidiosis. If it it amprovine will clear it right up.

coccidiosis should be easily diagnosed by fecal sample- bloody stools? - . I assume you were feeding two different feeds, varying proteins, and one medicated and one not? Heat was correct? No drafts?

Have a fecal test done, but I wouldn’t assume it was their fault. If they were alive and appeared healthy, they likely were. That many sick chicks would be obvious.

What sawdust are you using make sure it's not the fine stuff, that will kill them if they get to eating it! Just a draft at the wrong time can kill chicks they are like sheep they are looking for a reason to die.

Did they have pasty butt? Their back end gets plugged up and needs wiped or they die.

To answer some questions- no pasty butt, no bloody stool. They are all eating "starter grower" until they are separated (meat birds will stay in a kennel, layers will be free range and have the coop).
I don't think a cold spot or draft is to blame. They are in our brooder box (inside the coop) with a heat lamp. I'll get some pictures of the setup when I get home, at a birthday party now. I believe they were just a bad batch of birds, although they did look healthy.

It's common to lose a few but that many that's a big loss, I hate the way they drop them into the box when they count them out. I tell the people to set them in the box and not to drop them~ My brother in law had a big loss because of sawdust that's why I asked about that.

Sorry, Lawdog, I forgot to add that they are on straw.

Here is my brooder box setup and the feed they are on


. I called TSC and am getting my money back for the lost chicks.

I'd heat a bit more of the area with that heat lamp they can regulate the heat by moving at that age but they are spread out so it's not like they are that cold or they would be in one big pile. Layers can have food in front of them all of the time but the meat birds cannot they eat until they die but you said you separated them already I believe. That setup looks good to me.

Freeze em up they would be perfect attractors next fall..

Some people have had that trouble with chicks from Thiessens around here, I think they don’t get the best care at those places. Also I know hatcheries around here mail birds quite far so maybe in the future it is something to consider, so you know how old they’re when you get them. One of my landlords was a rural mail carrier, and raised a lot of chickens himself, always knew when spring was here because the post office would be clucking with chicks and he would deliver them, I think their about like essence the postmasters want them out as quick as possible.

Hoovers is my 1st choice they have some nice stock.

I’ve seen good chicks from there we always used mcmurray good chicks and for us it is only about 20 minuets away so that helps.

Were they in a pile when you found them?