Nadia wrote:
:sorrow: OMG....this is so sad. The video shows a wound or growth behind the L wing. I wonder if it was the same thing that got the 1st chick? Dad wasted no time removing it as it was dying. I don't think it would have survived much longer. The chick was able to right itself when knocked over and fed OK last week. However, SGB noticed the other day that it took a bit longer for this chick to respond to feeds. Something was brewing and yesterday's behavior was certainly a new development. Maybe an infection or parasite? If a parasite infected the brain (bacteria or protozoa), then the neurological issues would become evident. Could be the same thing that got the other chick, which was younger and more susceptible. I'm certainly guessing here, but this is such a tragedy for this nest on top of all the tragedy that preceded it. Sympathies to all watching this site.
This is horrifying! I'm glad I missed it. That poor baby!
It looked to me like there were injuries on both shoulders, maybe from the parents grabbing those areas to move the chick? In one video it looked like the skin was torn, exposing the muscle underneath.
I hope they at least try to find the body and have a necropsy done to find out what happened so hopefully it can be prevented from happening again.
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Skygirlblue - I just saw your post above. I hope that means they did find it! They need to find out if this was due to an infection, parasites, or a toxin.