Cochin rooster suddenly dead

[TheJantons]

This thread is to update... and a question. I had eight chickens, which i thought there were seven hens. Turns out my cochin Penny is a boy. Found out a couple months ago. But today my sister went out to the coop and found the cochin rooster Guido lying by the feeder.. turns out he was dead when she found him, he was only 10 months old. His behavior had been consistent for a while, he was very docile and no longer led the flock. We took him out for an epson salt bath a while ago for a red rash on his legs + he was limping. It helped but then Penny took over. He seemingly gave up in the last few days, recently he laid down outside and let snow collect on him, and he still had some trouble walking. Any ideas? (This is my first time owning chickens)

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It could literally be any of a hundred different things. Any suggestions would purely be guesses that shouldn't be acted upon.
It could be as simple as the fact he was already sick and being exposed to subfreezing temperatures killed him.
Healthy birds can handle extreme cold but sick birds need to be kept at near 80F.
If you tell me your state, I can give you your state poultry lab where you can send the carcass for necropsy and lab work to ascertain exactly what killed him so you know how to progress with the rest of your flock.

 

[TheJantons]

Thank you, but I don’t think sending him to a lab is really an option. I doubt my parents would agree to it, also because he was the only one acting this way. I don’t know what happened.. but we’re thinking its probably genetic. Something he had since he was hatched, thank you though

 

[ChickenCanoe]

And, you'll never know.

Some states have free necropsies. Most, if not all, will send a FedEx shipping label.

It is all part of chicken keeping.

 

[ronott1]

I am sorry for your loss!

Sending him in for a necropsy is often free or not expensive like chickencanoe posted.

Watch the rest of the flock very closely. Any that seem off should go into quarantine

 

[TheJantons]

Thank you so much for all the help