Crazy Comb is dead this morning - why?

[goldeneggtees]

When I went out to let the "ladies" out this morning, one of them was under their roost apparently dead for quite some time.

I had noticed her comb, wattles and ears were very pale in the evening before I locked them up. She had no other signs of distress. My daughter and I held her yesterday for awhile on our laps while we were out back swinging softly in our yard. She seemed to be enjoying the attention. We did have a girls bday party at my house the day before, so I'm wondering if maybe someone picked her up the wrong way and accidentally hurt her?

I am heartbroken and my daughter is going to be devastated when she finds out, Crazy Comb was her favorite hen. She would sit and close her eyes and let us pet her cheeks while she sat on us snuggling.

Do you think I can ask my vet to open her up and see maybe what caused this? I am worried now for my others.

How come anyone didn't warn me we would get so attached to them? They are the sweetest, funniest creatures I have ever met.

Rest in Peace Crazy Comb.

 

[windtryst]

I know how you feel...

I have had this happen as well, mysterious death...so sad

 

[wildorchid053]

so sorry you lost your favorite girl...

they definately get right into your heart fast.

 

[chickensioux]

I am so sorry for the loss of Crazy Comb. I'm afraid a necropsy would be the only way to be sure.

 

[goldeneggtees]

Thanks for the kind words, we are all so sad this morning and can't stop crying. If you go to my BYC page, Crazy Comb is the hen in the second picture - she was always the most skittish chick, but totally changed once she started laying and would jump in our laps any chance she got. My daughter and I got to really snuggle with her yesterday on the swing I mentioned earlier. I guess we will have to live with that memory of her.

I gave her a kiss at bed as well - I always do. I hope she knows she was loved and will be missed greatly.

I was so proud of the fact that we had 8 chicks come home with us from the feed store and they all made it and lived until today.

You know what's very weird? Last night I had a bad dream that a raccoon had broken into their coop and when I went to check on them, they were all still alive but none of them had any feathers left. Even though my hens are buff orpingtons, in the dream, they were white. Maybe I knew something was wrong instinctively. And maybe the white birds signified angels. I know that's sounds strange, but who knows?

 

[chickenzoo]

So sorry

Always seems to be the ones you love most.

 

[goldeneggtees]

We dropped Crazy Comb off at my vet this morning for a necropsy. She found a tumor in her liver that had bled out. So that is what killed her. It could have been caused by Mareks, we don't know and will not know as I'm not sure I want to have further testing done since there is not much we can do now. I am still so sorry she is gone and I just hope and pray none of the others have this same thing happen.

I so wish I had had them vaccinated as chicks. I did not know at the time all the diseases they can be subject to. We have EE eggs under one of broody hens, wondering if we should vaccinate them?

My girls came from a hatchery, were delivered to a local feed store and were in the store with adult hens since it was "chick" day at the feed store. They live their life in a closed flock but do freerange on their little 1/4 acre yard. I do try and practice biosecurity since I have educated myself into the possible diseases and illnesses other chickens can bring to our flock.

Poor Crazy Comb, I hope she wasn't in too much pain when she passed.