dead bird

[lteamchickens]

Our hen, who was about 1 year old died suddenly without any sign of distress. She had broken her leg months ago and that healed fine. She was always the weakest chicken.we are wondering 1) why? (I saw the posts about sudden chicken deaths)
and 2) is it safe to eat her? We loved her, but don't want to see the meat go to watse. Any help would be great

 

[bobbi-j]

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.

 

[Mrs. K]

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

 

[donrae]

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.

 

[bobbi-j]

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 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.

 

[Folly's place]

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