Hello my fellow AZ peep! Such sad news and I'm still dealing with it. Been a day of crying on and off again. I don't know why I'm so emotional over a chicken but I am.
Lost my first girl (Dumplin' - buff orp) yesterday afternoon. Came home from work, changed my shoes and went to the run to say hello and give them treats (my usual routine). Found her on her back, feet in the air. Ran immediately into the house to get my husband. He gloved up and took her out gently. She was still warm but definitely gone.
Far as we can tell she died of a heart attack or something else sudden. She had no injuries, no lice or ticks, ENT all clear. We watched the coop cam footage and she seemed to get startled suddenly, flew to the other side of the run, flapped frantically a couple times then fell over. Literally 20 mins before either of us got home. She was fine all day. eating and drinking normally. Her usual self.
I'm heartbroken. She would have been 10 weeks old today and she was the biggest of my four. She was shy and did her own thing but she was so sweet and calm. I wrapped her up in brown paper and put her in a paper grocery bag. Hubby is taking her north to our ranch to bury her because he's a good man. I'm just so sad. Thank you all for listening, I much appreciate the ear.
Over the 20+ years, I have lost chickens to different causes as well. Still sad regardless of cause. I only keep pets, and many died of old age.
