HuttonFamilyHens
In the Brooder
- May 27, 2021
- 6
- 3
- 11
We hatched some Buff Sussex and some blue/buff Orpington eggs from local breeders and all16 eggs that made it to day 18 hatched. The chicks have been very happy and active and looked to be all healthy.
I found one flattened under the brooder today though. (8 days old) They all looked perfectly healthy last night and I have no idea what could have caused it. My only guess is that it was accidentally smothered by the others as it as right in the middle under the plate. When I took it out the only thing strange about it was that there was a bit of yellow around it's navel which had looked fine the night before with just a tiny scab that you could just feel if you were looking for it and It's vent seemed to have gone brown and dried up (no poop) but I'm not sure if that caused it or just happened after it died. This is our first time rising chicks so I have no idea what to look out for. They all seem to be eating and drinking well, I replace their water 3 or 4 times a day when they get too many shavings in it. none of them seem lethargic or weak or disorientated, no panting or breathing problems as far as I can tell. Really worried that this could be the start of something that causes me to lose more but I don't have the fist clue where to start with identifying the cause of death or how/if to treat the others. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
I found one flattened under the brooder today though. (8 days old) They all looked perfectly healthy last night and I have no idea what could have caused it. My only guess is that it was accidentally smothered by the others as it as right in the middle under the plate. When I took it out the only thing strange about it was that there was a bit of yellow around it's navel which had looked fine the night before with just a tiny scab that you could just feel if you were looking for it and It's vent seemed to have gone brown and dried up (no poop) but I'm not sure if that caused it or just happened after it died. This is our first time rising chicks so I have no idea what to look out for. They all seem to be eating and drinking well, I replace their water 3 or 4 times a day when they get too many shavings in it. none of them seem lethargic or weak or disorientated, no panting or breathing problems as far as I can tell. Really worried that this could be the start of something that causes me to lose more but I don't have the fist clue where to start with identifying the cause of death or how/if to treat the others. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
If you still have the chick you might want to do a necropsy and see if there is any yolk left in the abdominal cavity. If you find yolk, it could meen that the cause of death was related to the yolk sac.
