2 Year Old Rooster Died

[chickanna2002]

Hi everyone, I am new to BYC and am still seeking closure to my Rooster's death. Around 2 months ago, I woke up to find my 2 Year Old Rhode Island Red rooster Frank, dead, with a completely black head in a pile of shavings in the coop. I was completely heartbroken as he was one of the first chicks I have ever raised and he was a super friendly Rooster. Before his death he seemed normal, except for the fact that he was napping outside frequently and was acting aggressively to our other rooster, Bobby. Since Frank's death, everyone in the coop has been healthy and acting normally, with no signs of disease. Does anyone have any idea what might of killed Frank?

 

[Sadness Child]

Could have been frost bite if it was a completely black head, this is the only solution I can think of

 

[chickanna2002]

Could have been frost bite if it was a completely black head, this is the only solution I can think of

Thank you for your reply, but the temperature was warm when he died

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Could the black be dried blood? Either from the roosters fighting or from a predator that saw an opportunity to get a weak rooster.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Any chance you got a picture?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi I'm sorry for your loss, it sounds like a real shock to you. How old were Frank and Bobby? How old were your pullets or hens at the time and how many are there? Were all the chickens raised together from hatch or had some been recently integrated? And if the latter, how recently had new birds been added? Please give details such as which ones and how recently. I am trying to determine whether Bobby could have killed Frank in the early morning hours.

 

[Shezadandy]

If you mean the comb/wattles were very dark, that's usually a sign of heart or lung failure. If the head was black from dried blood from a wound that's something else as mentioned above.

 

[chickanna2002]

Could the black be dried blood? Either from the roosters fighting or from a predator that saw an opportunity to get a weak rooster.

I don't believe so, it seemed to be the skin on his head, and not blood. it was very uniform and there was no blood on his bed of shavings. Thank you so much for the help

Any chance you got a picture?

I did not, sorry!

Hi I'm sorry for your loss, it sounds like a real shock to you. How old were Frank and Bobby? How old were your pullets or hens at the time and how many are there? Were all the chickens raised together from hatch or had some been recently integrated? And if the latter, how recently had new birds been added? Please give details such as which ones and how recently. I am trying to determine whether Bobby could have killed Frank in the early morning hours.

Bobby and Frank were raised together as chicks, along with another hen, and the rest of the flock were mostly Orpingtons that were integrated more than a year before his death. Hope this is helpful, thank you for the help

If you mean the comb/wattles were very dark, that's usually a sign of heart or lung failure. If the head was black from dried blood from a wound that's something else as mentioned above.

It was his entire head, including his comb and wattle, however it looked very different from dried blood, and there was no blood on the shavings were I found him. Thank you for your help