Dead Chicken with innards protruding out?

[jacksparrow]

I was away for one night--chickens secure in their animal proof enclosure. I came home to find one of my 3 yr olds, dead, with her guts protruding out---a bit too squeamish to look closely, could have been coming out her vent, or her side. She looked a bit funky 2 days ago,sitting down--sluggish. No sign of any predators, feathers, etc. just a very bloody mess on her side.
Does anyone know what might have happened?

 

[cobrien]

so sorry to hear this. it could be so many things - a ruptured abcess or tumor, a prolapse (where intestines can come out of the vent), or??? you'd have to check more closely to know, or you could store her in a cold place (fridge cold not frozen; on ice is okay) until someone else knowledgeable could check. if you can take photos both close up and far away you could get some better help on byc, but i understand being squeamish.

 

[jacksparrow]

Thank you for your response. I have already buried her as she was my 7 yr old's favorite. My curiosity just got the better of me and I wondered if anyone might know. Thanks JS.