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mysterious death

post #1 of 7
4/25/12 at 6:28pm
Thread Starter 

Had a sad shock on Saturday...I walked down to the chicken coop to tuck my girls in for the night and there was my sweet Australorp, lying dead on the floor. Rigor mortis had already set in...she was lying on her side with her legs and feet stretched out straight and her wings were back like she would do when "squatting." No sign of a predator or anything like that, and the other girls seem fine.

 

I have no idea what happened. Thinking back to the morning, I remember thinking she was acting a little "slow", but not so much that I was worrying about her. My girls are all turning five in June. 

 

Wondering if this has happened to anyone else under similar circumstances? I wasn't able to have a necropsy done, so I'm hoping there isn't something going on down there that is going to affect my other girls.

 

Thanks in advance for any insight....

-Tracy

-Tracy
Honeoye Falls, NY
1 Buff Orpington, 1 Barred Rock, 1 Partridge Rock,  and 1 Salmon Faverolle

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-Tracy
Honeoye Falls, NY
1 Buff Orpington, 1 Barred Rock, 1 Partridge Rock,  and 1 Salmon Faverolle

Reply

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post #2 of 7
4/25/12 at 6:32pm

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by karmical View Post

Had a sad shock on Saturday...I walked down to the chicken coop to tuck my girls in for the night and there was my sweet Australorp, lying dead on the floor. Rigor mortis had already set in...she was lying on her side with her legs and feet stretched out straight and her wings were back like she would do when "squatting." No sign of a predator or anything like that, and the other girls seem fine.

 

I have no idea what happened. Thinking back to the morning, I remember thinking she was acting a little "slow", but not so much that I was worrying about her. My girls are all turning five in June. 

 

Wondering if this has happened to anyone else under similar circumstances? I wasn't able to have a necropsy done, so I'm hoping there isn't something going on down there that is going to affect my other girls.

 

Thanks in advance for any insight....

-Tracy

 


Sometimes they just dont make it I guess. I have a little chic die a week ago and I have no idea what happened. I would continue to watch your girls and to check their feeders and waters to make sure that there isnt anything bad in them. Sorry for your loss. I have lost 2 girls, 1 rooster and a chick this year and it still hurts.

My life is a wonderful zoo! 1 Jack Russel TONY, 1 Rat Terrier BRIDGET, 1 Porcelain D'uccle (Victor), 2 Easter eggers (Clara and Loraine), 2 evil barred rocks and 2 two month old Speckled Sussex hens (Kate and Pippa).
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My life is a wonderful zoo! 1 Jack Russel TONY, 1 Rat Terrier BRIDGET, 1 Porcelain D'uccle (Victor), 2 Easter eggers (Clara and Loraine), 2 evil barred rocks and 2 two month old Speckled Sussex hens (Kate and Pippa).
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post #3 of 7
4/26/12 at 5:15am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for your reply, JakRat :-) It's been five days now and no one else seems ill, so my fingers are crossed that it was just something specific to Dorothy. I am still keeping an eye out though! 

-Tracy
Honeoye Falls, NY
1 Buff Orpington, 1 Barred Rock, 1 Partridge Rock,  and 1 Salmon Faverolle

Reply

-Tracy
Honeoye Falls, NY
1 Buff Orpington, 1 Barred Rock, 1 Partridge Rock,  and 1 Salmon Faverolle

Reply
post #4 of 7
4/26/12 at 5:19am

:( Sorry for your loss.

~Carpe Diem~

I am a married working mom of 2 boys (10 & 9) and 1 girl (almost 3). I just moved to the country and decided to try this whole chicken thing...lets see how it turns out...so far I am LOVING my ladies!!! :)

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~Carpe Diem~

I am a married working mom of 2 boys (10 & 9) and 1 girl (almost 3). I just moved to the country and decided to try this whole chicken thing...lets see how it turns out...so far I am LOVING my ladies!!! :)

Reply
post #5 of 7
4/26/12 at 5:23am

So Many things can really go wrong .. If your saying five years old .. With out further testing after she passed it would be so hard to tell .. AS Much as we would love for them to live for ever and keep producing etc.. It is such a sad Fact occasionally we lose one and for no apparent reason .. Or at least one we are unsure of.. I am very sorry for your Loss !!! I am glad all the others seem o.k. I hope it was an isolated incident like her heart or something .. hmm.png

I have about 20 Mature Hens and Roosters Different Breeds (RIR's, EE's, OEGB, Buff Orp.'s)  and approximately 60 Chicks different ages and a large variety adding more constantly (Jersey Giants, Black Australorp, White leghorn, Buff Orps.'s RIR and mixed bred), Three Dogs One Pure Bread Doxie two mixed Breeds, 4 Ducks (2 white Peking, One Muscovy, One mixed breed)2 baby Mallard chicks , 2...

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I have about 20 Mature Hens and Roosters Different Breeds (RIR's, EE's, OEGB, Buff Orp.'s)  and approximately 60 Chicks different ages and a large variety adding more constantly (Jersey Giants, Black Australorp, White leghorn, Buff Orps.'s RIR and mixed bred), Three Dogs One Pure Bread Doxie two mixed Breeds, 4 Ducks (2 white Peking, One Muscovy, One mixed breed)2 baby Mallard chicks , 2...

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post #6 of 7
4/26/12 at 5:32am

I've lost chickens and chicks randomly and for no apparent reason. We also raise rabbits, and every breeding or two it seems like we lose a kit here or here. It's hard every time you lose an animal, even if it's not your fault. :( I think it's just part of animal husbandry.

I love my chickens! www.adamselinflannel.com

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I love my chickens! www.adamselinflannel.com

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post #7 of 7
5/1/12 at 6:14pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks, everybody :-) Such sweet souls these birds! All that remain are still well, so I guess it must have just been Dorothy's time. Thanks again...Tracy

-Tracy
Honeoye Falls, NY
1 Buff Orpington, 1 Barred Rock, 1 Partridge Rock,  and 1 Salmon Faverolle

Reply

-Tracy
Honeoye Falls, NY
1 Buff Orpington, 1 Barred Rock, 1 Partridge Rock,  and 1 Salmon Faverolle

Reply
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