Chicken died suddenly. Need advice!!

[Hogan14]

Ok ya I can put up a barrier in the coop for a few days. Still waiting to hear back from the people selling the hens. Really hoping to get them today or in the next few days because my girl hasn’t eaten or drank any of her water that I put out for her last night. If I can’t find any hens for now I will put a mirror up for her.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Also keep I mind that it could have been a disease that the other one has contracted.
If you lose her, be ready to send that bird off to your provincial poultry lab for necropsy and lab work.
I think you may have more than one but try calling this one so you're prepared.
http://www.poultryhealth.ca/

 

[Hogan14]

As sourland said, if the lone bird (or lesser number) is the home team, they won't be as much at a disadvantage if bringing in a larger number due to their familiarity with the surroundings..
Also, a lone bird will more likely accept new friends, even young birds than they would if there were several home team birds.

As for what killed your bird, there are many things that can cause sudden death. Heart attack was one thought. I've lost 3 roosters to heart attacks but never a hen - go figure.
Sometimes a bird can hit its head jumping up to roost and break its neck.
Another idea was visceral gout, usually from excess dietary calcium (birds on layer feed but not building egg shells).
Fairly common possibilities are Marek's, colibacillosis and campylobacteriosis.
There are lots of other less common to very rare things. Among those are fatty liver syndrome and botulism.

Thank you for the insight! I’m glad that she should beokay with me introducing new birds. I was worried might make things worse for her for a while.

Okay ya, all those things seem plausible. I just really hope it wasn’t something I did. I keep wondering if I could have done something differently for her.

 

[Lauren Kim]

Requiesat in pace.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You likely couldn't have done things differently when they die quickly with no symptoms.
Unless there is something about your management that is awry. How long have you had them?

 

[Hogan14]

You likely couldn't have done things differently when they die quickly with no symptoms.
Unless there is something about your management that is awry. How long have you had them?

I’ve had them for 3 years never any problems. I keep their coop clean with fresh water. I give them a layer feed with oyster shell. I also give them scrambled eggs sometimes with garlic. When the temp starts to drop (right now it’s -20 celcius) I turn on their heat lamp.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I won't touch on the heat lamp issue for now but at 3 years of age and if you've always fed layer year round, it could have been kidney damage. Do you have the oyster shell in a separate container or mixed with the feed?

 

[Abriana]

Good luck! I’m sorry for the loss of Helen

 

[Hogan14]

Good luck! I’m sorry for the loss of Helen

Thank you I appreciate that.

I won't touch on the heat lamp issue for now but at 3 years of age and if you've always fed layer year round, it could have been kidney damage. Do you have the oyster shell in a separate container or mixed with the feed?

I have the oyster shell in a seperate container. There is a livestock vet near my place and I spoke to the vet last year and he told me to give them a good layer feed and have oyster shells out for when they want it.