We lost a chick today:(

[dodgewoman]

I'm beside myself. This morning my husband checked on the chicks, they all seemed fine to him. We left for a few hours. I came home to check on them and found one dead

We've only had them 3 days! I'm so upset, I've never had anything die on me so quickly. Should I be very worried about the rest of my flock? We have 14 birds left now. Is there really anything I can do?

 

[dodgewoman]

No ideas? I've been watching them all like a hawk today and they all seem to be eating and drinking. I know birds can deteriorate quickly though.

 

[seminolewind]

Chicks can die for a number of reasons, most of the time you just don't know. I would grind up the chick feed. Make sure they are drinking. And that they have room to get away from the heat lamp.
Sorry

 

[dodgewoman]

Thanks. They are on medicated chick starter so it's pretty darn fine already. I'm pretty sure I observed all of them drinking today(hard to tell some of my black ones apart at this point!). They have a pretty big brooder where they can get to the other end well away from the lamp. With a thermometer it's quite a bit cooler down there. My husband says I take things way to personally

I have raised two parrots from babies with spoon and syringe feeding but I'm thinking the whole chick thing is SO much different!

 

[seminolewind]

I think there are thousands of us on BYC who take things to heart. It's sad when they die, and there's no reason you can think of. I think it happens to alot of people. I hope the rest stay good.

 

[CluckCluck18]

I'm so sorry for your loss, it's so hard and we all take it to heart. When I first got chicks I brought 6 little fuzzy butts home and by the end of the first night I had 2 with coccidiosis and one dead in the first 20 hours. Sending prayers that the rest of your babies will be fine. Keep us posted!