All 3 Chicks Died. Help?

[Jetblack2004]

Hello,

We had a broody hen which hatched out 3 pretty little chicks around 2 weeks ago. 1 week ago one of them died very randomly. When I found it it was doing an odd gaping thing and then it sadly died. I then noticed that the chicks hadn’t really grown like they should of. They were particularly small for their age.

Then 2 days ago I found another of the chicks on the ground, gaping and appearing to be taking its last breaths. It also died.

Then today I found the third chick in the nest box, legs straight up in the air and lifeless.

I’m concerned as to how they died and am hoping someone has an idea of what was wrong with them. We’ve never had this happen before.

Thank you,
Jet.

 

[Fishkeeper]

What are the temperatures outside?
What were you feeding them?

 

[Jetblack2004]

What are the temperatures outside?
What were you feeding them?

The temperature has been a little warmer over the past few days but nothing out of the ordinary. They had plenty of bedding and from what I noticed didn’t appear to be too cold.

They were being fed chick crumbs with anti-coccidiosis.

 

[aart]

Was the mama keeping a good eye on them?

 

[Jetblack2004]

Was the mama keeping a good eye on them?

I can’t be certain but I believe so. She’s raised healthy chicks in the past without an issue so it’s not like she’s a bad first time mother.

I wondered whether there were any common viruses/infections young chicks could pick up?

Jet.

 

[aart]

I wondered whether there were any common viruses/infections young chicks could pick up?

Did eggs come from your flock?

 

[Jetblack2004]

Did eggs come from your flock?

Yes they were a few laid by our free ranging hens so I can’t be sure which of the many roos with them is the dad.

 

[aart]

Yes they were a few laid by our free ranging hens so I can’t be sure which of the many roos with them is the dad.

So no disease introduced by outside eggs.
May be a mystery never solved.

 

[Jetblack2004]

So no disease introduced by outside eggs.
May be a mystery never solved.

Yep and ok thank you for your help.

 

[azygous]

Was the hen given table scraps to eat over these last couple weeks she's had the chicks? If yes, was she able to access grit? If yes, was the grit small enough to be suitable for baby chicks?

One of the most common reasons for baby chicks dying in the first month is impacted crop and constipation from eating foods other than just chick crumbles and not getting grit to digest it. Also, not drinking enough water can contribute to this.

It's tragic losing all your babies. I'm so sorry and sad.