Problem needs answers: 1 to 2 week hatchling deaths.

[Dave Duit]

Here is a serious question asked by one of our Iowa Purple Martin Organization members that we would like to find the answer. Please respond to the following if you have experienced such a problem with young hatchlings.
" We're having some problems at our martin colonies - particularly on the south side of Iowa City. We've starting to experience nestling deaths, mostly i think in the age range of one to two weeks. I'm pretty sure it wasn't related to the recent hot few days, nor to gnats or mites (although both are also a problem this year)."

[C.C.Martins]

Dave, dont know the relevance as we are so far south in Texas.
Lost 3 chicks one week old, same nest. First two perished, then the last. No signs of predation, no marks nothing just dead. No mites. Removed the two dead, then when the last died, removed it.
Adults moved one gourd over and renested, 4 chicks now three weeks old.
Again, hot and dry (then) and it is a subbie pair. So don't know the relevance. Lots of land mass between us.
I'll P.S: I do check (visually) for food stuck in their throats...no I do not pry open a beak but look for say a dragonfly in a small chick...nothing. just blue and dead.

[Martintown33]

Dave, I assume there are no markings or signs of trauma… say from an angry HOSP, or a competing SY male?
Rob

[Dave Duit]

Thanks CC Martins and Martintown 33 for the quick responses. I agree that is could be the SY or sparrows causing some problems. The IPMO members mentioned that there were no signs of outward injuries. That makes me think we can possible eliminate the sparrow attacks. But, the SY males may be just dragging them near the entrances and the nestlings are not getting the care they need.

[Martintown33]

Dave I lost one chick to that exact occurrence. An SY dragged a chick to the front room of a 6x12 compartment.. I found him there during a nest check. Looked very weak and unfed .. I fed him then put him back in the nest, but he couldn’t recover. He was too far gone..
it’s a possibility..
Rob

[ToyinPA]

It may have been Coccidiosis (microscopic parasite) or Pasty Butt. I've lost many chicks in the past to both.

Toy in PA

[Dave Duit]

Martintown and Toyin PA, I have forwarded this info to our Iowa member. Thank you for the insights. Much appreciated.

[Dave Reynolds]

,,, During a nest check about two weeks ago I found a three or four day old nestling on one of the porches.. Not to sure how he got there but, was lucky enough to know which nest he came from and returned him to that nest. Nest checks since then has showed he survived with the other nestlings and is on he way to becoming and adult . Could have been a SY that pulled him out ... But now all is well..

Dave

[Martintown33]

Great save. Glad the little guy made it! Good work..
Rob

[Dave Duit]

Good job Dave on the nest check.