High mortality rate in 3 week old pheasants

Remmie 223

5 out of 12 dead in a week
Last Sunday we picked up 12 3 week old pheasants & the 5th one is dead today. We bought these birds of a reputable dealer, they have been medicated & have rings fitted to prevent them from feather picking. I have contacted the dealer & he said it was unusual to have such a high mortality from such a small number of birds, he has been very fair & offerd us a few polts free of charge when he has them ready. As this is our first venture in to pheasant rearing, we would like to figure out what we are doing wrong. On Friday morning I found 3 dead yesterday 1 & this morning there was one gasping, he is dead this evening. The dealer has told us that when they huddle up together at night sometimes one or two can smother.
Any clues or advice welcome

Longfellow

Could be gapeworm:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gapeworm
Bring one of the dead pheasants to the vet and he will cut it up to see if it has the "Gapes"

blackstairsboy

Have they access to grass because if they do they more than likely have picked up worms. Young birds need to be wormed when they are moved out to grass. I put panacur in their water as it is the best way to give it to them. I also put beatrel in their water as a kind of pick me up keeps them perked up.
I'm far from an expert but these are tips I have picked up along the way. There is lads who know a good bit more about it than me on here and I am sure they will add to what I said.

mallards

Maybe too cold? With the cool weather especially At night, three week olds won't have much feathers. Is the heat lamp low enough to the ground maybe?

johnny3

buy the sounds of tinks it cud be there beding chopped paper seems to work best what have you used.it jus seems bit early for gape worm

Remmie 223

johnny3 wrote: »

buy the sounds of tinks it cud be there beding chopped paper seems to work best what have you used.it jus seems bit early for gape worm

We are using straw

johnny3

theres your answer they will eat the straw and cant pass it if you open there craw you will find bits of straw causing blockage, shredded paper is best, can be got in an equestrian centre about 6 euro a bale all so noan as horse litter .let me no how u get on