Ready to do some nest changes yesterday, found 22 chicks dead in 5 cavities, a male ASY which had a broken foot. No mites to be seen but nests appeared to be damp. Heavy sideways rain with winds last Sunday. Traveled to Philadelphia area for 10 days and all was good before I left. Oldest chicks (5 about 16 days old) in a THG. Most were on the 1st floor and the 2 gourds underneath the plastic house. A nest on the top floor unscathed, chicks only about 4 days old. 2 chicks of 5 in 2 different cavities survived. 1 with the dead male. This am I observed males with new nesting materials entering cavities.
At this time Rob I am ruling out any kind of predator causing this. No physical damage to young from any hosp. Young all had bloated bellies. Only the adult male ASY appeared to have a broken foot in a cavity of 5 young with 2 survivors. Neither of those had blown up bellies. I think they all got wet. Or some parasite issue, maybe bird flue? My house is mounted to a boat lift I beam which sits on top of marine pilings. I wish I were home at the time. Took off for 10 days to help daughter with my 2 grandsons. I actually lost 27 up to 19 days old. Awful is not the word.
Sorry for your loss. I had a massive loss a few years ago when I had to travel to the midwest and my area received 5 consecutive days of overcast and rain. Did you guys have inclement weather by chance? I had to remove over 100 dead babies and some parents many at similar ages you mentioned...I know how tough that was. Sorry but hang in there.
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
This is so sad when this happens. I just completed my nest check and found 4 dead babies, all about 2 weeks old, with swollen bellies and no sign of trauma. Three were in one condo, together with 3 live ones who look healthy, and 1 in another condo with 4 healthy looking babies.
Susan
Happy Purple Martin Landlord since 2021
PMCA Member
