Dead hen

[swdypdy]

So we have 23 chickens. Yesterday at 4 o'clock I was out to feed them, collect eggs and check them out. Everyone was fine - very grateful I was in for feeding. This morning my husband was out to feed them and one of my 8 month old barred rocks was lying on her side. He thought she was dead but when he picked her up she started trying to breathe. He put her down this morning to keep her from suffering.

I'm worried about the rest of the flock.....anyone know of anything like this - fine one minute and nearly dead the next?

 

[birdlover]

I had that happen to an EE pullet a few years ago and I panicked that she was going to give something bad to the others so I had her necropsied. She had died from a liver problem which wasn't an illness she could pass on. I'd suggest, if you have anymore die, then get the last one to die in for a necropsy right away. But, if just this one died, and no more, it probably was something non-contagious. JMHO I'm sorry about your little hen.

 

[swdypdy]

Thank you for your reply - I will be keeping a close watch on the other ladies for the next few days. Hopefully everything will be ok. I had a bad day yesterday, my dog was diagnosed with Addison's disease, my hen got sick and my grandpa died..... can't figure out what I did to have this happen

 

[chickens4jojo]

I am so sorry about your grandpa and your dear animals. I am hoping for much better days for you very soon.

Wish I had more advice about your hen, but I am still in the learning stage with all of this myself. So far, my neighbor's ambitious Jack Russel Terrier has been my main problem with my hens.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

This has happened to me, and to so many others, with no real explanation. I did a Search and used the words "sudden death" to see if I could paste a thread here that had conclusive information, but there are too many and each one very short. If it would make you feel any better, you could try looking at those threads so you know it wasn't your fault.

 

[birdlover]

OMG! That IS a terrible day!!! Hoping things go better for you from now on!! :aww