5 month old roo died for no apparent reason

[nomad3d]

We have a small backyard flock of mixed breeds. We go out every night and feed them and talk to them and we had one roo, a barred rock. He was healthy as could be last evening and this after noon when I came home he was dead in the coop. There was no blood, no apparent injuries. His comb and waddle were almost totally black though and when he was alive they were a nice red. Any ideas?

 

[Farmer_Dan]

Sorry about your loss

, could have been a heart attack. Was there any foam or anything coming from his mouth? Was he unusually puffed up? Short of a chicken autopsy though, it's all just speculation.

 

[nomad3d]

Quote:
No, there was nothing unusual other than the color of his comb and waddle. No foaming, no bloating... looked like he just laid down and died. Just was weird to me that one day he's healthy and happy and the next day he's dead.

He was my fav too.

 

[CariLynn]

Sorry you lost your favorite roo Nomad! Back in February I lost one of my favorite hens and were not quite sure why, we suspect a possible stroke. Hugs to you.

 

[jfaith51]

I am sorry. I had a young rooster die so I took it to have a necropsy done. He died from gout! He had too much protein. I have never had another chicken, hen or rooster, die from gout.

 

[dawg53]

I agree with Farmer_Dan, possible heart failure due to the color of comb and wattles.