We had much better luck with the Cornish Cross chick order. The delivery was made from the hatchery located in the Midwest, in less than 24 hours! All chicks were alive. Some are wobbly though, one definitely appears to have a form of hip dysplasia or spraddle leg.
When they first arrived, we gave them plenty of warm water to get them rehydrated. About an hour later, we gave them food and the majority of the chicks were all over that. They are, for the most part, thriving.
We do have one that may not make it. He won't eat or drink. I have given him access to watery food with mashed egg yolk added in, and some Poultry Cell vitamins but I just don't think he is going to survive. The one with spraddle leg may also not work out. Cornish Cross need really strong legs to grow. Especially since we raise ours out in our pasture after three weeks of brooding, and they have to be able to move, stand, walk, and run. So will do our best to help these little fellas, but it may not work out. (Update 04/29/25 - Initially, both chicks were getting stronger, but the smallest one stopped eating or drinking, and constantly kept getting pastybutt. Washed it off every few hours and his coordination went down hill quickly. He died 4/26. The hobbled one did get strong and sturdy enough to have the hobbles removed two days ago. He's back in with the crew and seems to be doing quite well. Walks like a duck, but doesn't fall down. )
