help- 2nd chicken died

[maurap]

We have flock of 5 that is about 1 1/2 year old. We obtained 3 baby chicks on Easter this past Spring (breed- Easter eggers that lay the colored eggs); they have not started laying yet although this should be about the time that they do. 2 weeks ago, 1 of the chicks was laying around and then died the next day. Odd. Yesterday, the 2nd one was laying around and we found it dead this AM. I feel so sad for this 3rd one b/c she hasn't bonded with the original flock. My question is- WHY are my birds dying? the older chickens are not pecking them or anything. How would I know if they are sick? Did I just get a bad batch of baby chicks? I wasn't sure if this was normal to have chicks die! We had such success with our 1st flock. they are all very healthy.

 

[Judy]

I'm sorry. There are any number of possible causes. It's easy to miss that a chicken doesn't feel well, as they hide it from the flock. The only way to know for sure is a necropsy. Usually you need to research this ahead of time because the labs want the bodies in different conditions. In the US, you can usually get a state vet or ag college to do a necropsy for a low fee or even free. Your vet may know who to contact, or you can try the link below. If the rest of the flock does not seem ill, you can at least hope it isn't something contagious.

Your lone pullet may keep herself a bit separate from the others for years. I have one who hatched here. Unfortunately all her clutch mates were killed. She is usually in the general vicinity of the flock but always a bit separate. She slept somewhere other than the roost for a year or so, but does sleep on the roost now. She won't come running to treats thrown out, and I have to sort of corral her to give her her share, which is a bit tricky because I can't get too near her, either. But she seems content, forages, and lays eggs in the nests.

 

[maurap]

thank you. It's just odd that this is the 2nd chick that died and it seems similair to the 1st chick's death. I wonder if it has anything to do with eggs- they should have started laying this month. I wonder if the 3rd one will die. and I hope she is not contagious and wipe out the older flock- we are very close to that flock b/c they were our 1st. It's frustrating to raise chicks so young and then have them die before they even start laying! I will look into what you suggested- thank you.