Just watched RIR have a heart attack

[AGRowles]

I wouldn't have believed this, but I have about 40 free range chickens and I also raised pastured meat birds. They have acres to roam and live in harmony with 3 dogs and 2 cats. One of my cats just playful pounced around behind one of my Rhode Island Red hens and it ran a few feet and then ruffled up, opened its wings as if preparing to be mounted by the rooster and laid down on the ground for the cat. The cat sniffed at a distance and lost interest and laid down next to it in loaf form. The chicken looked around a little and then started twitching a little, which I thought it was ready to stand back up and then went motionless. Then the cats both went over to sniff it but this time they sniffed its face and it remained motionless. It was dead! A health 3 year old RIR that's been through 2 fox attacks previous years. Dead from a silly kitten chase.

 

[micstrachan]

Oh no! I’m so sorry!

 

[Alexandra33]

My deepest condolences. It's never easy losing a beloved pet.

Whether it was the cat's playful gesture that brought on the heart attack, or simply a coincidence, remains to be seen. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

~Alex

 

[50-45-1]

I believe this is not uncommon.
I also had a large white rooster who was scratching and romancing his hens one minute, then flopping around the yard like his head was cut off the next, then lying still dead.
To much romance for mine, his heart gave out.
Most roosters dont get this kind of happy way to go.
Sorry for the loss of your hen!