Sudden Death half grown chick

[Project Blue]

My chick was doing fine the night before. She was fully feathered out with 3 other similar age chicks and one duckling. Her body was appropriately heavy for her size and nothing going on at the vent or head. Just laying dead on the floor. My other chicks and duckling are gentle natured. In the past I was in the room when a tiny duckling broke his neck right in front of me. I was doing something on the other side of the room and he could see me and started banging his bill against the clear plastic container trying to get to me and suddenly he went quiet. The coop was snake proof the chick died in. I'm wondering if a bee sting, centipede or some kind of bug could kill a smaller sized half grown chick. I don't think she broke her neck and disease seems unlikely but whatever happened I want to prevent this happening again. The chick that died and her sister are the only descendants of 20 years of project chickens I bred. Anyways, I've always wondered if a chicken ate a bee would they die?

 

[CascadiaRiver]

In all of my years of raising chicks in our garden built for pollinators, I've never seen a chicken even attempt tasting a bee, but even if they did I feel like you'd see signs if it was an allergy or swelling related death.

If it seems like sudden death I can only suggest doing an autopsy if nearby vets won't do it for you. It could have been something internal, it could have also been bullying, all it takes is one correct blow or one good trip if you land correctly.

 

[Project Blue]

In all of my years of raising chicks in our garden built for pollinators, I've never seen a chicken even attempt tasting a bee, but even if they did I feel like you'd see signs if it was an allergy or swelling related death.

If it seems like sudden death I can only suggest doing an autopsy if nearby vets won't do it for you. It could have been something internal, it could have also been bullying, all it takes is one correct blow or one good trip if you land correctly.

I'm pretty sure it wasn't bullying, that's why I'm so curious what went wrong. No way there's going to be an autopsy. I've raised chickens for many years too, mostly without problems. This year has been the worst ever for predator attacks like I've never seen. Having a chicken die for no reason is particularly aggravating.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I once saw a cockerel 4 to 5 months old eat a bumblebee. He shook his head and went on about his business. It is possible a bee sting or something similar could kill a chick but I'd think it fairly unlikely. However, one time I saw a small kitten climb up on a fence post under a hornet's nest. It got stung on the head and died. Never say never.

It is possible that chick had a birth defect that caused it to have a heart attack or stroke out of the blue. It is possible it broke its neck like that duckling. Maybe it was running from an aggressive chick in their play fighting. I had a hen die when trying to get away from an amorous rooster. Freak accidents happen. Part of dealing with living animals is that occasionally you are going to have to deal with dead animals. It is not pleasant at all and I sympathize with you. It can be a rough feeling. And you will probably never know exactly what happened.

 

[CabritaChicks]

I will echo above: A fully feathered chick can die from a bee sting or centipede bite (shock), but it's extremely rare—likely less than 1% I would imagine? Most sudden deaths are caused by more common issues like disease, cardiovascular defects, temperature stress, toxins, or I have even seen crop impaction from ingesting plastics.

So I would pass on the 'bee' theory. Unless there’s clear evidence of a sting or bite (like swelling or seeing the insect), it’s far more likely the chick died from another cause.

I know that doesnt help your situation, my heart goes out to you.

 

[Bigdumogre]

I was always told when dealing with farm animals you will have some unexplained deaths, and it is part of raising them. It will always suck though no matter what.