Dead chicken - need help to figure out why - help

[Lalythra]

This morning when I did chores all our hens and rooster were fine. However, this evening when we came home and started chores, our rooster and all 10 hens were piled by the human door to the coop. when we un-piled them the hen on the bottom was laid out flat, though still alive she died about an hour later. She didn't seem able to hold her head up to control her legs. Not sure what is wrong for them to pile like that. I've read where they do it when too hot or too cold but don't think that's the case here. They're all only a year old, coop is approx 8 x 10 with straw for bedding, roost with room for all under heat light if they wish or away from it. have 6 egg boxes that they regularly lay in. They have a run that is approx 300 x 150 ft. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated. I don't want anyone else dying on me. Also of note, we're in central IL and this is our first really cold weather, though they weren't piled by the lamp.....

 

[handyman42]

I would say they accidentally trampled her. And as far as why you'd really have to investigate to figure that out. They could've gotten scared by something and huddled or it could've been the cold who knows. There's too many variables and not enough information for an accurate verdict.

I would keep a close eye on them and if it happens again I'd start with predator control just to be sure it's not a raccoon or possum trying to get in and causing a stampede.

Good Luck I hope you figure it out.

 

[Lalythra]

Thank you for the comment and advice. Newbie chicken owners working our way toward being more self sustaining so help is always appreciated.

 

[YardBirdCountry]

I just lost one too. One of my younger birds. I think sudden shifts to cold weather plus wet muckness = more dead birds. Just do everything you can to keep it dry, clean, and warm in the coop.

 

[casportpony]

If you live in the US find a lab in your State and have necropsies done. It's free in some States like California and Maryland.

Some labs listed by State:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/csf_lab_list.pdf

Or google the name of your State and "veterinary diagnostic lab"

Illinois lab links:
http://vetmed.illinois.edu/vdl/
http://www.agr.state.il.us/AnimalHW/labs/

 

[casportpony]

This is a copy and paste from an old post of mine, ignore the California parts unless you live in California.

How to Send a Bird for a Necropsy​

They need the whole bird, refrigerated, not frozen. If you live in CA, there are four labs that do necropsies on poultry (chickens, turkeys, waterfowl) for free. I know that they do out of state necropsies, but I think they charge for those. You could call them and ask what they charge for out of state "backyard poultry". The lab I use is the one in Tulare, CA. If you are in CA, call them and ask for their FedEx account number, it will save a bunch on shipping charges.

CAHFS
18830 Road 112
Tulare, CA 93274-9042
(559) 688-7543
(559) 686-4231 (FAX)
[email protected]


The other labs are listed here:
http://www.cahfs.ucdavis.edu/services/lab_locations.cfm

If it's Friday, unless you want to overnight for Saturday delivery, I would suggest shipping on Monday for Tuesday delivery. What you need to do, if you haven't already done so, is put your bird in your refrigerator, NOT the freezer! Then you need to find a box, line it with styrofoam (I use the 4'x8'x1" stuff from Home Depot. You can also get smaller pieces at an art store like Michael's, but is way more expensive. Click here to see foam options. You'll also need at least one ice pack. Here are some pictures that I took of the last bird that I sent:

Box lined with foam on four sides and bottom. Seams of foam taped sealed.


Box, sides, bottom and and top.


Frozen ice pack in ziplock baggie.


Brown paper on top of ice pack.


Hen in ziplock baggie on top of brown paper.


Brown paper on top of hen.


Ice pack on top of brown paper.


Lid on top of brown paper.
​

Inside the box you should also include a submission form in a ziplock baggie. Do not tell anyone at FedEx that you're shipping a dead animal... that seems to really worry them. Just make sure that nothing will leak.

Hope this helps!

-Kathy