03/17/2023
Shared
Why did my chicks from the big box store die??
When chicks are shipped from a hatchery to the big box store they hatch in their nice warm incubator and then are pulled out and placed in shipping boxes to head to their destination.... Chicks are super fragile for the first 48-72 hrs. So if during transit from state to state the temperature drops 30 degrees these little chicks bodies can not regulate themselves. The only thing they have within the box to stay warm is body heat and hand warmers. Which dont last long. Their bodies need temps at LEAST 90° F.
They arrive at said box store are unpacked places in a bin and arent allowed time to adjust to them temperature there before they are shoved into another box to head home with you. Where they are placed in yet another brooder where you may or may not have the adequate temperature and at this point they need emergency electrolytes and vitamins to even stand a chance. All of which you may or nay not know.
So. Within 24 hrs you have a chick with pasty butt and a dead chick shortly after that.
If you buy LOCAL from a breeder like myself your buying 4-7 day old chicks at minimum. That are already adjusted to life outside their shell. Theyve been given several days to regulate their body temperature in a brooder at the correct temperature and been given the proper electrolytes and vitamins to boost their little systems.
Please remember chicks are super cute as babies but over handling also causes stress to your chick so children should be closely monitored and not allowed to over stress them as well.
But i dont want roosters!! Well folks if your going to own chickens roosters are part of the game. Without a roo you wouldnt have these chicks to start with. So if you end up with a roo... Sell it, eat it, or take it to a auction.
Bottom line folks, support local get healthy strong chicks. This is not the big box stores fault. Its the process's fault. 
