Bewildered - sudden death

[Ktribe808]

I only have 3 Rhode Island Reds, well now 2; although they are 4 years old, they still lay well and are real beauties - I bragged about my chickens a-plenty. Never sick, hardy and real sweethearts. I was shocked when I came to give them their early evening snack of mealy worms and gathered greens and found one dead in the coop She ate breakfast this morning! She laid an egg yesterday! No sign of sickness or anything being wrong. Bright eyes, normal poops, excellent and gorgeous plumage, etc. I examined her closely and I can see nothing wrong with her. I looked around for snakes as we live near a stream and there are supposedly copperhead, although I have never seen one here. Although not free range (my neighbors have dogs used to search prisons) they have a really spacious coop and a very large outdoor pen complete with perches, a chicken swing and an xylophone mounted the wall. This is driving me nuts! any ideas?

 

[staceyj]

I lost a hen this year as well.
She was fine when she woke up, ranged with the flock, went into the coop to lay an egg and didn’t come out.
My poor DH went to peek in on her ask ask what was taking so long and she had dropped dead by the nesting box.

I know how sad and bewildered you feel.

At 4, it could have simply been “age”. I don’t think all breeds have the same lifespans.

She may have had an underlying illness.

Two thoughts depending on wether the knowledge of why and how would help you in your grief.

-You could send her to your state veterinary lab for a necropsy. Many states are quite low cost.
Her body would have to be refrigerated until you’ve made arrangements to send her.
-or if you feel up to it, you could perform your own basic autopsy to see if anything jumps out at you.
You do not have to be a professional to do this.

That was the choice I made and what I found was that she had a lot of fat inside her and had had a liver hemorrhage. The liver itself was in terrible condition. Hardly even held together.

The peace of mind it gave me was that she didn’t suffer and there was no need to worry that my flock would “all get sick and die”.

I hope you find peace knowing that you gave your sweet bird four fabulous years and she lived a great and long life.
Sending you hugs.