Lost a chicken today after unbinding and successfully passing an egg

[carrierhomestead]

So, yesterday we noticed a chicken who was sitting by herself inside, she had a very pale comb and waddle. She moved a little when we started inspecting her but would just lay right back down. She had no balance her wings were slumped down but she was holding her head up like normal. We figured she was egg bound. We brought her inside around 8pm and gave her a good epsom salt bath soak. We left her overnight in a dark closet with food and water and a nesting box. In the morning we discovered her still on the ground in a different spot but she had laid an egg! We were happy but she still seemed weak and lethargic. She wouldn't drink. She passed at about 9am this morning in my husband's arms. She was gasping for air.

Was this still a result of being egg bound? Or is it possible there as some other cause? I'm wondering about botulism. We got her as a chick from rural king and I am almost positive she had been vaccinated for marek's but I can't be sure. She probably lower on the pecking order and is the only one who showed any of these signs.

We are heartbroken we felt like we had saved her.

 

[LhickenChicken]

I'm sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, I'm no expert on eggbinding or anything of the sort.

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

Sorry for your loss. How old was she? Sometimes more than one egg can get stuck in the oviduct so it's possible she died of a reproductive issue even though she managed to lay an egg this morning, but I wouldn't be surprised if something else was at play. If you want you can refrigerate the body and get a necropsy done at a state lab to get some definite answers or if you or your husband is up to it you could do a basic necropsy at home and at least see if there are any obvious reproductive issues. Here is a list of labs that do necropsies https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html