Chicken seizure and death

[Rancheletti]

One of my Red Ranger roosters had a violent seizure and died immediately. I examined him and all I saw was that he had blood in his mouth. No previous signs of illness. Any ideas what this could be?

 

[blondvet]

I'm sorry I can't answer your question, but I sure wish I could. I've had that happen twice to apparently healthy roos (hens are all normal) in the last 3 months. If you find out anything (or if you already have), would you please let me know. Thanks!

 

[MrsBrooke]

Welcome to BYC, Rancheletti.

I am sorry for your loss... it's never easy, but especially when they go so suddenly that we don't even get a chance to help them.

Seizures can be caused by a number of things... Injury, age, toxins, poison, ingesting lead shot/paint, moldy/rancid feed, congenital defects... Without a necropsy, there really is no way to know.

Would you consider performing a necropsy on your bird? Particularly the crop and gizzard? If he swallowed a sharp piece of metal, that could explain seizures and blood in the mouth.

If you have another bird experience these symptoms, I would place its body in the refrigerator wrapped in plastic bags and contact your local vet for information on where to send for your state's USDA office to perform a professional necropsy. It's free, outside of shipping costs (maybe $6ish?), and you will receive a copy of the results, so you can have an idea of what to treat for (if anything) and have a plan for your flock moving forward.

Again, I am so sorry your rooster passed this way. Hopefully, it will be a one-time occurrence.

MrsB