Black orpington chick death. wondering what the cause was.

[CharlotteRenee]

Hi everybody, yesterday our black orpington chick Molly died. we just found her dead on the ground. RIP Molly. lots of crying today and yesterday. I don't know why she died, but here were her symptoms. Hunched over, would not eat or drink very much, stayed in one spot most of the day,had yellow stuff on her butt alot, we tried to wash it off but it kept coming back, and sleeping while standing. please help me find out why she died. Thanks, Charlotte.

 

[chicknmania]

It sounds like what they call "pasty butt" on chicks. I have had no experience with it, but there is a lot of information about it here on BYC if you search it.

 

[CharlotteRenee]

I looked up pics of pasty butt, did not look like what she had, it almost looked like ground up yellow chick feed.

 

[chicknmania]

I don't know at all. I assume you have disposed of her body by now, but if not, and it's less than 24 hours old, you might consider a necropsy. Definitely watch the others for symptoms. Chickens hide their symptoms too, so the best way is to pretend not to be looking at them, while they are engaging in their normal daily activities, and make sure none are acting different than the others. How old was your baby that died and where did you get the chicks and how long ago? If you got them from a breeder, they might be able to give you some insight.
So sorry, it's hard to lose them at any age.