⠀ Chicken suddenly died

I am fairly new but have a question. I recently had a broody hen. When she first became broody I thought she was dying only to realize she wasn't. I found some fertilized eggs and placed under her for her to hatch. Yesterday was two days away from when they were supposed to hatch and that's when she left the nest. I found her in a corner of the coop not moving and she had her head down. When I picked her up she was alive but not moving. She also had bright green slimy poop stuck to her feathers. I brought her in and we tried getting her to eat and drink but she wouldn't and she died about an hour after I found her. I wasn't sure if she caught something and became sick or if something was just wrong with her. She had been on the nest for awhile and seemed ok. She would puff up and get upset if I came too close to her nest and I would see her occasionally get up and get food and water. She did start looking a bit rough the last week. Her comb wasn't as bright of a red and seemed droopy but I assumed it was from her being in the nesting box not getting as much air and sunlight. I'm concerned for my other chicken that was out there with her. If she had something? We cleaned out the box she was in and disinfected it and put new bedding as well as cleaned the water and food containers. I also have new chicks inside the house that won't go out for another few weeks but I'm nervous if she had something to put them out there when it's time. Anyone have any suggestions what could have been wrong? I am so sad about her passing and don't want anything else to happen to the others. For the moment my other hen that was with her is acting and looks fine

How long has she been broody?
A broody hen isn't laying eggs so her comb will be more pale and shriveled. That part is normal.

There is absolutely no way to determine what kills a bird quickly without a necropsy and lab work. What state are you in? Every state has at least one poultry lab that will do that and in some states, it is even free.
It could literally be nearly 100 things.

ChickenCanoe said:

How long has she been broody?
A broody hen isn't laying eggs so her comb will be more pale and shriveled. That part is normal.

There is absolutely no way to determine what kills a bird quickly without a necropsy and lab work. What state are you in? Every state has at least one poultry lab that will do that and in some states, it is even free.
It could literally be nearly 100 things.

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That is true, one thing from my guess is it could have been Diarrhea. I've noticed from my chickens that when they get that, if not treated they will die from it. But their poop is green like you described.

Starvation will cause a broody hen to have loose green stools. She becomes so intent on sitting on her eggs that she will literally starve herself. The diarrhea can lead to electrolyte imbalances, dehydration and death. I had a first time broody develop diarrhea during the last few days before her chicks hatched. I had a hard time convincing her to get off her nest and eat and she was in pretty poor general condition by the time her chicks hatched. She didn't die but she took forever to regain her conditioning. A good thing to keep on hand just in case, is some sort of vitamin/probiotic for chickens. I use Rooster Booster Vitamin and pro biotic powder mixed with water. There is also Save a Chick electrolyte powder that comes in packets. Mix it with water and use an eye dropper to give your chicken a few drops at a time. Sometimes that will help them back from a crisis if they are suffering from dehydration.

I'm so sorry that you lost your hen, KristinSue, especially so close to her day of hatching. Were you able to salvage any of her eggs? Did any hatch?

I also see that you are new to the forum. Welcome! And feel free to stop in on the new members introduction thread and say hi to everyone. So sorry your first post was under such sad circumstances.

The only thing I would caution you about as far as your other hens are concerned is if you have a vet who will do a fecal float test on one of them for coccidia I would highly recommend that you have that done and treat them for coccidiosis if necessary. Coccidia are a parasite that can cause diarrhea in chickens as it's primary symptom. And yes, it can kill a chicken faster than a New York minute as can other parasites that could be present.

Good luck. I hope you enjoy Back Yard Chickens.

A broody hen starving herself to death may be possible but is certainly not the norm. If it were, they would be extinct. They've been brooding eggs and chicks for millions of years without human intervention.

ChickenCanoe said:

A broody hen starving herself to death may be possible but is certainly not the norm. If it were, they would be extinct. They've been brooding eggs and chicks for millions of years without human intervention.

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x2

Hi

I'm sorry for your loss.

My guess would be an impacted crop or sour crop. As others have said, green diarrhoea is usually an indication of starvation, but I also agree that broodies do not normally starve themselves to death, so it would suggest a problem has most likely occurred to prevent the food from going through her system. An impacted crop or sometimes a tumour can be the cause. If her crop was impacted, it should be quite obvious.... usually if impacted, they get clogged with fibrous material like straw/hay/dead grass which forms a soggy plug that prevents food progressing into her digestive system, so her crop will look large and feel squishy. I've had a few pekins (bantam cochins) have problems with this and regular massage and sloppy oily feed usually help but I had to do surgery on one. Being broody exacerbates the problem if they are prone to it, because the lack of mobility allows the plug of fibre to settle in the bottom of the crop and block the outlet to the digestive tract.

Again, the way to be sure would be to have a necropsy done professionally, although if you felt able, cutting her open yourself might well reveal what the issue was. If you are not knowledgeable enough to know what you are looking at, there is the option to take photos of her internal organs, like crop, gizzard, heart, liver etc and post photos here on BYC so that those of us who have a little bit of experience at it, can try to identify the problem. I appreciate that not everyone feels able to do this, especially when it is a pet.
There is a thread where we share such photos and discuss possible causes of death, which I will find a post a link to, but be aware it does contain graphic pictures.

Good luck with your new chicks and I hope that your other hen is not too lonely.

Regards

Barbara

Edited to add link below as mentioned
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...xxx-graphic-necropsy-photos/340#post_18273802