Help, my wyandotte just died

[Redhead Rae]

Something that can be seen in young, otherwise healthy pullets is a fatty liver that ruptured (I can't remember what it is called). With how quickly she died, that could be an option

 

[ChickenCanoe]

No, I don't think we have any necropsy experts near...

What would be considered poisonous?

I have a total of 18 chickens (19 with Mistletoe)

In the future, you do have nearby resources.
http://servicedediagnostic.com/?lang=en
https://provencherroy.ca/en/projet/quebec-animal-pathology-specialized-laboratory/
http://www.medvet.umontreal.ca/servicediagnostic/materiel_pedagogique/urologie/reference.html
http://nfoe.com/en/design/veterinary-diagnostics-and-epidemilogical-surveillance-complex-mapaq
https://ca.idexx.com/en-ca/livestock/
Not to mention Guelph University.
Just like with humans, there are hundreds of things that can kill a chicken. There is no way to know for sure without a necropsy and lab work. That's how they find out how a human died. If you had several birds die from Mareks and another died with the same symptoms, then it is a pretty safe guess that it was Mareks. If you see a hawk on top of a dead chicken, then it may be obvious. Otherwise, it is a guess without diagnostics.

 

[ChickNanny13]

So sorry for your loss, she is so very pretty

 

[micstrachan]

I’m so sorry for your loss. She was so beautiful! For her to pass so quickly, I, too, would think of something ruptured or something poisonous.

 

[Animalfisherwoman]

I'm so sorry. She appeared to be a gorgeous chook, and the loss of her must have been a shock.

 

[rebrascora]

Like the others, I too am sad for your loss, especially such a young bird!

Can I ask what you feed your flock?
As one or two others have suggested Fatty Liver Haemorrhagic Syndrome can cause sudden death in a apparently healthy chicken and would also cause the wattles to become so pale which is quite striking in your photo. A dietary imbalance can lead to fatty liver syndrome, so when you have a bird die unexpectedly like this, it is a good idea to reassess what you feed them, in case you have become overly generous with treats or you are feeding a grain mix diet inappropriately. I do my own necropsies and it is surprising how often you can discover something from it which can benefit the remaining flock. I appreciate that you have now buried her but still worth checking what you feed them as Fatty Liver Haemorrhagic Syndrome is becoming increasingly common in back yard flocks.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

X2
I killed a nice Wyandotte with overly generous scratch treatment. The rest immediately went on a diet.

 

[Hedwig Chicken]

Thank you again all of you guys for your support. It is the first hen that I've lost since I've started raising backyard chickens a year and a half ago. I was truly in shock when it happened, because it was so sudden...

Thank you @ChickenCanoe for taking the time to search all these links. I will definitely consider them if ever something else happens.

@rebrascora @Redhead Rae

My flock is on basic laying feed. They also get to eat compost (no meat).

She maybe could have gotten a Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome, but I guess we'll never know...

I don't think poison is the problem, or all of my chickens would have eaten some.

I have many other chickens, all at different stages of life (1month old chicks, 3month old teenagers, 8month old pullets and fully grown hens), cohabiting and foraging peacefully in their, presently grass-less, fenced part of our yard.

I wonder why (and if) she is the only one affected by this.

Her wattles are usually bright red. Her face only flushed out when she was, well... dying.

 

[4 ever Orpington]

My hen Mistletoe (8 months old) just died this morning.

She was perfectly fine yesterday. Her egg laying was perfectly normal.

This morning she was eating and drinking.

But around 9:30 am, she started just laying down on the ground panting.

She died around 9:55 am.

She didn't seem to have any injuries. Her comb, wattles, eyes, feathers and shanks looked vital.

Pictures of this morning:
View attachment 1534681
View attachment 1534682
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View attachment 1534689

So very Sorry for your loss.

 

[casportpony]

My flock is on basic laying feed. They also get to eat compost (no meat).

I don't want to scare you but thought you should see this:

From the November 2016 CAHFS Connection

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/cahfs...s_connection/2016/CAHFS_Connection_201611.pdf