"Sudden Chicken Death" with a twist

[Soilarch]

This morning I had 4 healthy ISA Browns and 4 healthy Pro Reds. All hatchery chicks, the reds a few weeks behind the browns in age. (I've had them about a month.)

Two died today. The internet it full of "sudden death" stories. But what has me puzzled is that one was a member of the older browns and one a smaller red. They died in the same spot and around the same time. Both were in between "fresh and limp" and "old and stiff."

They have full water from a hanging nipple and I'm feeding them only medicated chick starter. I add nothing to the water.

The different ages, different genes, same time, and same spot has me concerned. No damage to carcasses or the pen I've built. (Covered, and 1"X1" welded-wire.)

 

[cavemanrich]

Sorry to hear that. I think it is just a coincidence. Just a question.... Are they in a brooder and a source of heat is on them??? Can it be that it is possibly too warm and no place for them to egress to for cooler spot.??? Reason I ask is I'm trying to cover all possibilities.
WISHING YOU BEST and

Keep us updated as to how the rest is doing.

 

[Soilarch]

Last several days temps have been a low of mid 50s and a high during the days of low 70s or 60. (It's been perfect for animals and way too cloudy/damp for the garden) I did take the lamp off of them a week ago. They have shade to get under even in this mild weather.

I'm new and ignorant, but I'm certainly at a loss on this.

Feed rate is the only thing I've not given close attention to. Varies from a cup a day to 3 cups a day. There's on grass, not a piece of scratched-out dirt.

 

[cavemanrich]

You are doing the best you can. Try to have feed available for them at all time. Water also. The inexpensive feeders that use an upside down jar work very well for feed as well as water. We are talking small chicks. Once they grow bigger there are larger feeders available. You can also skip the feeders and offer feed in a pan or just on the ground. Only drawback is some of the feed gets wasted easier.