Easter Egger Chick Died

[anemone77]

Hello! Received a shipment from mypetchicken five days ago, and all five chicks have been thriving and doing well. It's been about 90 to 95 degrees, so during the day, I've let them have the run of the coop, which is totally secure with hardware cloth. They've been running about, eating and drinking, and no problems, other than having to keep their bottoms clean from time to time. Anyways, I went out there tonight and the easter egger was dying, and is now dead. I don't know what happened . . . any ideas what might cause a 5 day old chick to die suddenly? Thank-you!

 

[PeeperKeeper99]

Five days is way to early for them to be out of the brooder. They need continuous heat, and even it is hot outside a small breeze can give them a chill. So please, keep them in the brooder until at most three weeks.

 

[anemone77]

I have had the heat lamp on, just also giving them the run of the coop, and am completely puzzled as to what happened when it was strong and thriving earlier today.

 

[PeeperKeeper99]

oh, well i would say a illness is most likely the culprit. or if it had any physical abnormalities that could have done it, too.

 

[anemone77]

Really sad. I noticed black sugar ants on her, and also attacking their food. Anyone know if ants might have been the culprit?

 

[PeeperKeeper99]

thats what it was. ive had some chicks die of ant bites, mainly because of the poison. check your chicks often to see if they are clean.