Suddenly dying RIR

[Atlchick]

I'm a relatively new chicken mom, last nite I found a 9 week old RIR dying. She couldn't hold her head up, even though she could stand for a few moments. She would just drop back down, and I expect she'll die this a.m. (I had to leave her to come to work).
This is a sudden development, all seemed to be fine during the day. No predators She was in a coop with about 30 others, all had been together since chicks - no new ones. Does anybody have any ideas what would cause such a sudden collapse? Should I be panicking about the others in the pen?

 

[martin60]

I lost 2 RIR pullets Wednesday. They seemed fine when I checked them is the morning, but I found them dead when I checked them in the afternoon. They were 12 1/2 weeks old. I still don't know what happened.

Where are you located?

 

[Atlchick]

Outside of Atlanta. Perplexing and frustrating, isn't it? I don't know if it is a random event, or if I should be worried about the others.

 

[Atlchick]

Do you have other chickens and other breeds, or just these?

 

[martin60]

I have 6 more RIR-all the same age and I got them all from the same breeder. The other 6 seem fine, but I'm keeping a close eye on them.

When I was growing up, we had RIR and game chickens and most of the time, once they came through "chickhood", it was rare to lose one, except to predators.

I wish I could offer you some insight, but I'm at a loss myself. Good luck and best wishes!