Is this normal when a hen dies?

[lalalandchickens]

My lovely ex bat marge wasnt right on sunday she wouldnt come out the coop in the morning so went and took her out and she pottered around and headed back to the coop and she laid an egg whilst perching in there which was odd. She didnt eat or drink much snice then not even when the mealworms came out.


She seemed to pick up a bit then still not 100% monday they were free ranging and she didnt come out of the run and spent her day in the nest box thought we might have a broody on our hands. Around teatime she still hadnt laid and was panting a little and was still pushing for the egg.


So brought her inside set up hospital cage and gave her a lovely warm soak dried her off put some olive oil around her vent and put back in hospital cage



This morning her comb was slowly turning purple and blue tried with water and food again she wasnt interested. So got her all comfy and she snuggled into me on a blanket she started to drool slightly and got stickyish beak so tried with water again she wasnt having none of it. She got cosy again then started to like gasp and opening her beak flapped her wings then her neck was flopping around and she died it was all very dramatic i thought she would just stop breathing? This is my first chicken death

 

[lalalandchickens]

Just to add last egg laid sunday morn egg was normal just laid in wrong place but she has been known to lay shell less eggs every now and then

 

[ChickenEnthusiast2000]

sorry for your loos. but yes mostly every animal dies like that.

 

[coach723]

I'm very sorry for your loss.
It's hard to say what she may have died from without a necropsy. They are very good at hiding illness and symptoms can be very similar for different things. Sometimes they will just quietly fade away, but often they will go through what is called 'death throes' which is just the bodies neurological reaction to dying, and unfortunately it can be unpleasant to witness.

 

[Lovem all]

I am so sorry for your loss. At least you gave her comfort in her last moments

 

[lalalandchickens]

Thank you all for the replies I have seen many people die as worked in nursing care for 10years so thought it would be quite peacful like it is with us humans.

My poor marge

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Sorry to hear of your loss. It is painful when it happens. Holding her was the best thing you could have done.

I know I just lost my third chicken.

 

[Jeanw]

I’m sorry about Marge, it’s so sad to lose our animals.

 

[camochick96]

So sorry for your loss. I witnessed a dramatic sudden rough death like what you are describing with my EE this spring, it makes it that much harder to accept when you witness such suffering.