How did my healty hen die?

[poultrypharmer]

This morning I noticed one of my girls was next to the duck pool standing up with her eyes closed and she was all wet, and I had a hard time getting her to move. I picked her up and put her in the coop. When I came home from work I found her dead on the floor of the coop. Anyone have any ideas how she possibly died? As far as we know she had been healthy. She was 2 years old and a great layer.

 

[leadwolf1]

I am wondering if she fell into the duck pond and aspirated enough water to kill her. How else would she get all wet?

 

[poultrypharmer]

Sounds possible.because she was standing right next to it. The pool is not very deep though, its just a kids turtle sand box. I could see maybe that a rooster was trying to go after her near the pool where it is wet/muddy also.

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

She could have been in the pool too long and since chickens can't swim (even though it wasn't deep) she may have gotten water in her lungs (chickens lungs don't expand). Sorry to hear about your loss.

 

[chickschool]

That's a total bummer. My guess would be water in the lungs/shock. My 2 year old silkie fell into our duck pool (same shallow little pool) was only in there for 2-3 minutes but in that time swallowed so much water her crop looked like an orange and she was gasping for breath. I brought her in, dried her off them snuggled her up in a basket. About an hour later she started shaking uncontrolably (I'm guessing shock) so I got out my brooder light and put her under that. After about seven hours she was back on her feet.

My guess is that when a non-water bird falls in the water (no matter how shallow) they panic and flop around. I had a cockatiel die in less than a half an inch. I now keep a big rock next to the edge that they can stand on if it should happen again. I don't know that they will find it but hopefully will.