Chick choked to death??

[ClayChicken]

Hi - brand new here.

We have 23 4 day old chicks that we got from Ideal this week. They have been healthy, happy, energetic, and perfect.

Today, one of the Ameraucanas was acting normally and then suddenly stopped, started gaping like she couldn't breathe, eliminated from both ends, and fell down dead. It all happened from normal to death in about 20 seconds. Could she have choked to death?

We have kept the litter covered with paper towels and fabric (because they were pulling back the paper towels and eating the litter), however, they still manage to get a few bits of pine shaving on top of the toweling.

 

[ctychix]

It's hard to say what caused such a sudden death, I too lost a chick from Ideal at about day 3. I'm sorry for your loss, but I'm sure it wasn't something you had control over.

 

[ZooMummzy]

Wow, that is really fast. I am so sorry for your loss. I have lost a couple chicks this year, both of which were fine one minute then deathly sick the next. In the second chick, it was an impacted crop. Not sure what killed the first one. Both also eliminated from both ends as dying.

Again, I'm sorry for your loss.