One of my Polish chicks just died...

[MurphysBYC]

My son found a dead one of our chicks yesterday barely breathing. My wife picked it up out of the run right away and brought it out side in a little pen.

She had her head tucked down to her chest and had very labored breathing. What do you think caused this and do I have anything to worry about with the other chickens?

Thanks.

 

[Eggcessive]

Polish chickens have vaulted skulls which means they can be brain-injured very easily from injuring their head from a fall or an attack. One of the signs of this is called wry neck which is what you are describing. The neck can also be turned around or to the side as well as bent down. I would guess that the chick was injured maybe by flying into something and hurting his head severely. Wry neck can also be caused by vitamin deficiency and certain diseases also.