Lost a baby. Suggestions?

Falcon Chickens

In the Brooder
6 Years
Sep 11, 2013
24
2
22
Falcon, Colorado
Suggestions please: I have eleven 7-week old chicks living in grow-out pen in garage. Found one dead this morning, with no previous indications of any issues. They all seemed perfect last night, and garage temp ranges from 60-75 over the course of the day/night. Only thing I can think of different about yesterday is that I had given them a little bit of watermelon rind for the first time and some minced up greens from my garden for the second or third time, but they have chick grit. Body has already been disposed of, but now I'm wondering what could've happened, and what I should be looking for in the others to see if they are going to have the same problem. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Never lost one like this before.
 
Sometimes birds die. There's not always a clear explanation. It could could have eaten a staple, or a rock just a bit too large; it's possible it's never been developing right but didn't show outward signs. Mortality of 3-4% should be expected whenever raising chicks. Necropsy is always a good idea; even if it doesn't give you an explanation for this bird's death, it will give you insight into your flock's health as a whole. In the meantime, keep a closer eye on the rest of your bird's health, on the off chance the death isn't a fluke.
 
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I had a 7 week old buttercup that died unexpectedly. She was found on her back in the run. Someone told me that if you find them on their back they may have had a heartattack. Hope this may help. It is a bad feeling to find a perfectly healthy acting chick dead.
 
I have never lost a chick. Knock on wood!
Like someone else posted the Chick might of had hidden issues. Chickens are good at hiding illness till its too late.
If it was on its back it had a heart attack.
My poor little Ameruacana hen died of a heart attack when the tarp blew off my run this spring in a wind storm.
Found her on her back..Poor Esther.
 

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