4 chicks have died for no apparent reason

[Cstahl419]

Hey there! Sorry for the loss of the littles. I am wondering why you are feeding them game bird starter and not feed meant for chicks? Are they chicken chicks or another type of bird? Not sure if it would have anything to do with the chicks that passed away, but am curious.

They are pheasant chicks

 

[L0rraine]

Thank you for providing this information on straw bedding. I have used it off and on for years and have always thought it worked well for me. BUT now I will be more cautious. I've seen the occasional bale come from the feed store with a wee bit of mold on the end, and it sounds like that could result in a death sentence for young chicks. There is always something new to take in, but every bit helps in the ultimate care we are able to give our tiny charges.

Thanks again.

I'm thinking Aspergillosis, especially after you mentioning the bedding your using.
The straw can have fungal spores all throughout it. Depending on when and where the straw was harvested/baled, if it was in a wet area or conditions, could be moldy, and have fungal spores adhering to it and now that it has dried out, has become 'frieable' and easily released in the dust.
I would replace the straw with hardwood or pine chips, immediately. There is no treatment only sanitation procedures to eliminated the fungus.
You mentioned them eating and drinking normally, you didn't mention anything about their feces but if it was Coccidiosis, I'm sure you would have noticed their droppings and stated the condition of them....if it were cocci, you would notice yellow runny poop and in advanced stages bloody poop, at 1 week old I doubt seriously it is Coccidiosis....can you perform a necropsy on the dead ones? or have you already disposed of them?
Their kinda small but you might be able to determine the cause of death.

ETA- for auto correct

 

[007Sean]

Thank you for providing this information on straw bedding. I have used it off and on for years and have always thought it worked well for me. BUT now I will be more cautious. I've seen the occasional bale come from the feed store with a wee bit of mold on the end, and it sounds like that could result in a death sentence for young chicks. There is always something new to take in, but every bit helps in the ultimate care we are able to give our tiny charges.

Thanks again.

Gamebirds and pheasants in particular are very susceptible to alot of things that a chicken can tolerate but will kill gamebirds in a heartbeat. Not only biosecurity but sanitary conditions are also extremely important when raising gamebirds.

 

[MandaH]

I just wanted to say that I am sorry to hear you lost some of your pheasant chicks