Chicken looks dead...but isn't!

[larmstrong]

This morning I found one of my chickens completely inert, on it’s back with it’s legs in the air. I thought it was dead but when I picked it up it was still warm and opened it’s eyes a slit to look at me. But it’s completely unresponsive. I’ve just left it in there sitting in a nest of shavings. I tried putting some water on it’s beak but it wasn’t interested. I’ve checked out websites but there doesn’t seem to be anything to explain it. I don’t watch my birds that closely but they all seem to be active and eating. I think I would have noticed if this one was slowing down but maybe not. Should I just let it die? I’m more concerned about it possibly carrying some disease that the others might get. I'm also worried it might have been fed some stale bread that had mould on it. Would that have caused such a quick response maybe due to botolism? Any thoughts?
Thanks, Linda

 

[Eggcessive]

I haven't dealt with botulism, but chickens can get it from eating decayed fish or other wildlife and maggots from a flood area and ponds or creeks. The first symptoms can be an inability to lift the head from neck paralysis and later paralyzed eyelids. There are many avian viruses where the first symptom is sudden death. I am baffled. Have you thought of a broken neck from a fall? Or poisoning? I hope you can get some answers.

 

[larmstrong]

I talked to a chicken farmer friend of mine and she suggested pneumonia because we have had some very cold and wet days recently. It would come on pretty quickly and I might not have noticed if the chicken was slowing down.

 

[Eggcessive]

Pneumonia usually happens during a respiratory disease, and you probably would have noticed something--a sneeze, gurgle, runny nose, eyes, or swollen face. Also, probably acting sleepy or off. Is she still alive?