dead bird

Without doing a necropsy (or paying to have one done), you may never know why she died. Now having said that, I personally would not eat a chicken that died of unknown causes. Is it safe? Probably. Would cooking the meat kill any possible infection or illness? Most likely. I just can't make myself do it. If you want to feel like she's not gone to waste, maybe plant her under a tree or favorite rose bush or something so she can fertilize it for you.

 

It is not considered healthy to cook a bird that you find dead. Upon dying, the body begins decaying almost immediately. That is why when you cull a bird, one cleans out the entrails immediately and chills and washes the bird.

I would suspect heart problems, weakness tends to cue that. I would not pay for a necropsy unless I had a couple more birds die within the week.

Mrs K

 

I'm with the above. I'm not near hungry enough to eat a bird I find dead. Use her for fertilizer and she won't go to waste.

 

I agree - it's the only way I can think of, though, if someone really wanted to know why their bird died unexpectedly. I just bury them and move on. I've never had several mysterious deaths in a short period of time.

 

I would have to be starving to eat a bird found dead! The best plan is either to have a PM done, or to wet the body to chill it fast, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate it for up to a week. If more birds die, you then will be more motivated to have them examined to find the cause. Often a bird will die with little advanced warning, because they are so motivated to appear healthy at all costs. Acting sick is a bad idea if you are a bird! Sorry for your loss, and Welcome! Mary