Samblast
Songster
My 3yo Rhode Island Red hen who was a decently large laying hen recently passed away. Before she died she was laying by a waterer, she had a purple comb, she was wheezing, had trouble breathing, after I noticed the symptoms she flapped around on the ground for 30 seconds until she passed. No symptoms where shown earlier in the day or her life. She was a very healthy hen who laid 6 eggs a week. She even laid an egg in the morning before being let out into the run. No other birds are experiencing symptoms. There was a little bit blood on her beak, probably from running into the waterer and losing the ability to walk. All chickens were fine in the run, I don’t know what caused this. She had been drinking fine and eating layer pellets. The poop I saw from her before she died looked fine, no poop on her butt. No mites, lice, or worms that I know of. She was the #1 han in the pecking order. Clean house, enough space, pine wood chips, she lived with 1 RIR, and 2 EEs. She shared a run with 6n1yo hens(3 Isa browns, and 3 barred rocks). They were all friends. I am wondering what would cause her death so soon. She was so healthy and friendly and I just want to make sure that the other chickens aren’t at risk. Was this probably sudden death disease/heart attack or do you guys believe this could’ve been something else? Please help.
