Sudden Chick Death

[ronott1]

The little chick was just not growing like the others, I have been so careful with cleanliness, I have never lost a chick before.

The first one that did that here looked like a bantam.

 

[Big Red Roosters]

Here in California, Necropsy is 20.00 per bird for backyard flocks

www.cahfs.ucdavis.edu

http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/necropsy-and-disease-testing-lab-info.1236884/

fecal float test: https://www.statelinetack.com/item/...epperjam&publisherId=21181&clickId=2464987830

Wow that's cheap. Wish they were that price here.

 

[ronott1]

Wow that's cheap. Wish they were that price here.

Up till last year it was free for two a day.

 

[Palinor]

How many chicks are there, and how large is the brooder? Sometimes if the brooder is too crowded, chicks can get squished and die. What type of shavings do you use? Have you successfully raised chicks before in this type of brooder setup? (Same heat lamp, shavings, container, food, etc.) How long before you found him dead did you check on them? (Just trying to figure out how much time he may have had to develop symptoms without being noticed....) Sorry for all the questions, just trying to think of some possibilities. So sorry for your loss, losing chicks can be hard.

There was only 4 and the brooder is pretty big, they all had plenty of room. We use shavings that we get from the feed store for farm animals. Yes, we raised three other chicks earlier this year in the same set up. My fiance went in this afternoon and he was alive, we went in about an hour ago and he was gone.

 

[Palinor]

The heat lamps you're using aren't teflon coated, are they? Those are toxic and will kill them. Use ones designed for chickens only.

they're designed for chickens

 

[Palinor]

Here in California, Necropsy is 20.00 per bird for backyard flocks

www.cahfs.ucdavis.edu

http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/necropsy-and-disease-testing-lab-info.1236884/

fecal float test: https://www.statelinetack.com/item/...epperjam&publisherId=21181&clickId=2464987830

the breeder we got the eggs from suggested UC Davis. $20 isn't bad but we'd have to ship overnight which is another $20-25

 

[ronott1]

the breeder we got the eggs from suggested UC Davis. $20 isn't bad but we'd have to ship overnight which is another $20-25

You can use the UCD contract with Fedex. Check their website.

There are 4 labs in the State. Are you sure on is not close to you?

Give them a call tomorrow

 

[Palinor]

How are the other chicks acting? Necropsies can be really disappointing in my honest opinion. Refrigerate the body, not freeze it! Watch the others for 24hrs max before you make the necropsy decision.
If any others look slow, diarrhea, bloody poo, gasping, or other weird things, definitely send the body in for necropsy. If not, it may be a freak thing and not worth the money. I spent 500$ on a few necropsies and found out nothing at all. Total waste of money.

Freak deaths do happen, it happens to the best of us. I'm so sorry for your loss

the other chicks seem fine, no poopy butt, always excited for snacks, drinking water, poo looks normal

 

[ronott1]

There is a lab in Turlock

http://cahfs.ucdavis.edu/about/locations/turlock.cfm

 

[Palinor]

There is a lab in Turlock

http://cahfs.ucdavis.edu/about/locations/turlock.cfm

I checked the price page on the Turlock link and it said $120