Found one of my flock dead

[ObiWanHenobi]

Morning all,

Found one of my flock dead (Dorothy) this morning in the coop. I've promptly removed the body and noticed that the poop underneath was black, signaling some internal bleeding? I didn't see any signs of predation or disease. Her comb and waddle were very pale though, but I thought it was because she had been molting. Her appetite was fine as far as I could tell. She was 3ish years old. Should I clean the coop entirely?

One of the two others (Blanche) just finished molting and looks quite healthy - bright red comb/waddle and is eating/drinking and I believe laying again. The other's (Rose) waddle and comb are bright red but it looks like she has a bit of blood at the top of her beak and around the comb. I've included pics.

Egg production had been off for the flock as a whole, but we had been dealing with vermin and our neighbour's dog that barks incessantly, often near the coop.

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[The-White-Elephant]

Morning all,

Found one of my flock dead (Dorothy) this morning in the coop. I've promptly removed the body and noticed that the poop underneath was black, signaling some internal bleeding? I didn't see any signs of predation or disease. Her comb and waddle were very pale though, but I thought it was because she had been molting. Her appetite was fine as far as I could tell. She was 3ish years old. Should I clean the coop entirely?

One of the two others (Blanche) just finished molting and looks quite healthy - bright red comb/waddle and is eating/drinking and I believe laying again. The other's (Rose) waddle and comb are bright red but it looks like she has a bit of blood at the top of her beak and around the comb. I've included pics.

Egg production had been off for the flock as a whole, but we had been dealing with vermin and our neighbour's dog that barks incessantly, often near the coop.

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!

Welcome to BYC!

Sorry for the loss, I hope you don’t lose any more. These people can help you more than I can: @azygous @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @cmom @MysteryChicken

 

[ObiWanHenobi]

Welcome to BYC!

Sorry for the loss, I hope you don’t lose any more. These people can help you more than I can: @azygous @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @cmom @MysteryChicken

Thank you!

 

[MysteryChicken]

She appears to be a black Sex-link which is a Production breed.

If you still have the body, can you take some pictures of the dark stools? Cecal poop can be quite dark, but shouldn't have a red tinge.

 

[ObiWanHenobi]

She appears to be a black Sex-link which is a Production breed.

If you still have the body, can you take some pictures of the dark stools? Cecal poop can be quite dark, but shouldn't have a red tinge.

Is it ok if I post pics of the body? All three of the flock are different breeds. Poop pic, attached.

For clarity - Rose's poop looks fine. It's her comb/waddle I'm concerned about. Dorothy's poop was black like in the pic, and her waddle/comb were pale. I'm concerned about disease, but couldn't find any indicators based on what I've read so far. Hopefully that helps.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry that she died.
Without necropsy, there's no way to really know why. If you still have the body, then consider sending it to your state lab for analysis or if you can do your own informal necropsy, taking a look at the organs you may be able to get a bit more info.
A 3 year old hen, I would probably suspect reproductive issues or heart failure, but that's just a suspicion unless you take a look.

You can find your lab here https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Hens that are in molt or just finishing up molt are usually not in lay. As days get longer, then laying resumes. Look your Gals over for lice/mites too.

Having to deal with vermin can be a pain. Do an onsite search for some tips to trap and/or poison them, depending on your setup. I usually trap, but have used bait stations as well (secured where the birds don't have access).

 

[azygous]

The body of this dead cicken can tell you more about why she died than we can.

Refrigerate the body and locate a state agricultural animal testing lab and have a necropsy done. Or you can cut her open and see what you can see. Often, what killed a chicken has obvious clues, and can help you understand how the death may have consequences for the rest of the flock.

Give us your location and we can help you find the lab if you wish to go that route.

 

[ObiWanHenobi]

I'm sorry that she died.
Without necropsy, there's no way to really know why. If you still have the body, then consider sending it to your state lab for analysis or if you can do your own informal necropsy, taking a look at the organs you may be able to get a bit more info.
A 3 year old hen, I would probably suspect reproductive issues or heart failure, but that's just a suspicion unless you take a look.

You can find your lab here https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Hens that are in molt or just finishing up molt are usually not in lay. As days get longer, then laying resumes. Look your Gals over for lice/mites too.

Having to deal with vermin can be a pain. Do an onsite search for some tips to trap and/or poison them, depending on your setup. I usually trap, but have used bait stations as well (secured where the birds don't have access).

Thanks for all the info. I live in Southwestern Ontario and will look to see if there are labs nearby. I'll take another look at the two remaining hens to see if there are lice/mites.

The vermin have been taken care of for the most part. I trapped diligently throughout the summer and haven't found rat poop in the coop for months. Laying didn't seem to resume as normal though.

 

[ObiWanHenobi]

The body of this dead cicken can tell you more about why she died than we can.

Refrigerate the body and locate a state agricultural animal testing lab and have a necropsy done. Or you can cut her open and see what you can see. Often, what killed a chicken has obvious clues, and can help you understand how the death may have consequences for the rest of the flock.

Give us your location and we can help you find the lab if you wish to go that route.

That's a good idea - do you have any resources that will help me identify issues once I cut her open?

I'm in southwestern Ontario.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Is it ok if I post pics of the body? All three of the flock are different breeds. Poop pic, attached.

For clarity - Rose's poop looks fine. It's her comb/waddle I'm concerned about. Dorothy's poop was black like in the pic, and her waddle/comb were pale. I'm concerned about disease, but couldn't find any indicators based on what I've read so far. Hopefully that helps.

That does look like a blood clot.

Yes, body pictures are okay. Recently I did a necropsy on my rooster who died, & posted them.