Death/ Vent Question

[peepinglaura]

My apologies if you have already read my question. I thought I'd give more info rather than bump up my post from yesterday:

When chickens (in this case, a rooster) dies, does the vent typically enlarge upon rigor mortis, or is the large open vent a sign of cause of death? Our adored and doted upon silkie roo died- he was not yet 1 year old.

I'm also wondering if he might have been a bit "off" from the beginning and we didn't really know, since he was our first and only silkie. He had no idea how to go about mating, and would often try to mount the wrong end of a hen Even the other bantams threw him off, and he was usually by himself. He had a deep, proud cock-a-doodle-doo, though, and chalenged the bigger roosters and held his own.

Our chickens free range. Could there be anything silkies are more succeptible to (as far as poisonous plants, perhaps) than other chickens? I really would like to know what ended this sweet roo's life. A necroscopy is out of the question, since burial is what my kids needed, since this was their loved pet, and it doesn't seem to be contagion-related.

Thanks,

Laura

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

I would venture to say he died of cancer
as that is what would make the vent end enlarge
and silkie roosters are clumsy any ways mine was
and silkie roosters die easier than other chickens any ways mine did

I think that they are so inbred that is one of the problems
but as you stated his vent area was hard and bigger
then I would say he had cancer
so best to bury him and buy another rooster for the kids

try and feed the flock some
wet mash probiotic
here is for one bird
3 tbsp of dry crumbles
1 tbsp of yoguart
2-1/2 tbsp of milk any kind
feed at least three times a week
multiply by the amt of birds feeding

also put 2 tbsp of ACV in thier gallon of water
email me for any other help

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

I am so sorry about your dear pet roo!!!

 

[peepinglaura]

Thank you. I dreaded the day we would lose this one I just had no idea it would be so soon.

Now I am thinking it was an impacted crop. Now I am going to have to learn how to check crops. I wish for his sake I learned this skill earlier

Laura

 

[Renee]

My guess is that the vent can sometimes look strange after death. All kinds of bad things happen to human bodies when we die, so I imagine the same would be true of chickens.

Sorry about your sweet rooster.