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We just lost Marky Mark
I just got all set up with some food in a syringe to try to drip along her beak. Her comb had suddenly gotten a lot paler over the last few hours and she was sitting a lot more. I was getting her all set up when she suddenly repositioned and flipped on her side. I sat her back up and her breathing became very labored, she sounded like she was wheezing. Then she started thrashing around until she got pushed up against the crate. It looked like she had a seizure, a lot of big thrashing at first then smaller ones until she was gone. It probably lasted 15 seconds.
What on earth could that have been? Could an organ have failed? Any other ideas? I'm more curious about whether or not that behavior aligns with something contagious or worms. Eggcessive mentioned heart and liver failure sometimes shows right before egg laying. It's always sad to lose a chicken, but it is worse right before you get to see their beautiful eggs.
I appreciate your attempt to help! It's not a bad idea to get her checked out and/or learn to do it myself. I'm 3.5 years into chickening with no end in sight, so I've got to learn! I'm thankful for this forum!I'm so sorry for your loss. If you can refrigerate her body in a plastic bag, you can contact your state vet or poultry lab tomorrow morning to ask about getting a necropsy. In a couple of states it is free, but most charge a fee. Sometimes if that is not possible, we can do one at home to look at the internal organs, liver, intestines, inside of the gizzard, and sometimes we can see something that loooks abnormal. Take pictures if you do that, since many on BYC might be of help. Necropsies are hard to do if you are not familiar with butchering, but a great way to learn. I understand if you don't want to do this. Hopefully, it was just some defect in her body, but it sure is hard to lose a pet chicken.
Well my buff op hen moved on was hopin to get to vet in morn but to late she will be missed..
I appreciate your attempt to help! It's not a bad idea to get her checked out and/or learn to do it myself. I'm 3.5 years into chickening with no end in sight, so I've got to learn! I'm thankful for this forum!