Dead Chicken...What is the cause?

[Wheeler Farms Chickens]

I had a chicken die on me today. We had temps of 106. I had ice in their water and they were all panting. This one died next to a Tonka Truck that I use for a nest. Earlier I thought she was just "waiting in line", but I went back in this evening and found her dead. I am guessing it was the heat. Is that why the discoloration of the comb etc?

 

[CMV]

The discoloration is likely because she was dead for quite some time. Was she in full rigor when she was found?

I am sorry for your loss. I lost a duck last year to the heat. They were in and out of the water all day, but it wasn't enough. All those feathers make for great insulation. Too bad insulation is not helpful when it is 106 degrees.

 

[Wheeler Farms Chickens]

She had only been dead for a couple hours.

 

[CMV]

That is long enough for the blood to pool into the lowest points of the body. With the temps being so high her blood was very thin, so as soon as her heart stopped the blood started sinking to the lowest points leaving the extremities looking very dusky.

I hope you make it through this heat with no more losses. Good luck.

 

[suezqz_64]

So sorry for your loss. Any possibility you could dig a shallow wide hole in the shade so the others could cool off a bit?