Woke up to a dead chick..

[blue_egg_lover]

My son went to check up on the chicks and found one dead. We had these two that chest bumped all the time and since they were st.run we wondered if they were two males. We couldn't really tell the gender and they are about 3 and 1/2 weeks old. The one was found dead, no peck marks or wounds just dead by the feeder. Could they have been two roosters and the other killed it? I wouldn't think at such a young age that they would have fought. I'm not really sure why he/she died, they all seemed healthy and fine.

 

[paddock36]

I don't think the other could have killed him at that age. Are the others acting normal. Are you feeding them medicated feed?

 

[looptloop]

Oh no, I'm sorry... what a disappointment.

 

[blue_egg_lover]

Yes I am feeding them medicated feed. I called TSC because that's where I got them and they told me that it could have very well been a rooster and another rooster since they have been chest bumping. They said its probably not bothering the others because they don't fight back so that makes him the main boss. Or they said it could have had a heart attack or just could have had something wrong with and was just born that way. I was very surprised to see that he/she was dead. The rest seem healthy and happy. I guess these are just one of those things with no explanation.

 

[aprhardy]

So sad! Sorry for your loss! I'd replace it with 3 more (just to be safe)

 

[spiritdance]

did u check to make sure it didn't have pasty butt?

 

[blue_egg_lover]

I'm getting a batch of chicks in two days

It started off as the limit was 11 but then we got bantams before my batch got here so got to love how theses chicks add up lol

 

[blue_egg_lover]

Quote:
Yep no pasty butts, they really haven't had that in a week or so. It seemed perfectly fine.

 

[Judy]

several possibilities: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=39604

I wouldn't think another chick did it if you saw no injuries.

 

[blue_egg_lover]

Quote:
That's was interesting. The brooder temp is fine and they eat and drink good. Since its just the one breed I think maybe there is something genetically wrong. I don't know to be honest but that article gives you a lot t think about.