Day old chick killed with torn open throat - ideas on what did it?

[LaLa Chickie]

LaLa Chickie- Thanks for the kind words.... The guy that sold me the dozen eggs sent me an email asking how I did with his eggs- and when I told him about the six chicks he suggested doing it again, only he supplies the eggs and we'll split the hatch.
I'm going to do that, and I also offered him back his half dozen babies in exchange for an adult hen or pullet.
I've got room for another lady and really don't need to be raising six that the odds say will be 50% roos , which town ordinance disallows.
He's only got the one rooster, and his fertility rate was low as his hen to rooster ratio was too low - he needs more roos for a flock of about 25.

Good for you! Great way to experience the hatch and get a new girl!

 

[luvmychixandducks]

Well, he didn't go for the swap so I now have six two month olds, four of which are pullets.
They are all reds - look like RI reds to me, but they came from a mixed flock, so his roo must be really prepotent - but it doesn't matter now as he got rid of the roo and is going with an all girl flock.
I told him the feather ripped backs on his hens was from his roo breeding, and he decided to give the ladies a break. His flock looks better already.
If he gets another roo it will be a smaller one, possibly a bantam.
My problem now is... his flock wasn't NPIP tested so I can't get my birds tested , and without testing I can't exhibit my girls in the county fair.
If his flock gets tested, then mine can be. Or I can wait until all birds on my property are over 17 weeks - but by then the Fair is over. NUTS.