Lost a sweet girl today, completely unexpected

[ChickenLove1113]

I have used BYC for almost a year now to find some of the most useful info when it comes to caring for my hens. This is my very first post, and unfortunately, it’s one that comes with some heartache. I have a small little backyard flock - three sweet Red Sex Link hens. They are 9 months old, and have always been healthy/happy girls. This morning I found one of them, Minnie, laying in an unused nesting box with her head nestled in the corner. When she didn’t stir I went inside to get a box to put her in. As I lifted her out she blinked! She was alive, but just so. Her comb was dark and her eyes were almost blood shot. I rushed her inside and had my husband put a towel in the dryer with the hopes of wrapping her up in it to revitalize her. (*Side note: I live in Utah and it is the dead of winter right now - it gets down to about 20 Fahrenheit at night. My girls have a secure, but ventilated coop with a heated perch that keeps them comfortably warm during these fridged nights.) So, we wrapped her up - I couldn’t hear or feel her breathing, but she was still slowly blinking. She seemed to relax and finally “let go” once I was holding her. She slowly closed her eyes and then...suddelntly she threw up a clear liquid and began to convulse. It startled me, and I unfortunately lost my hold on her. She flapped around violently for a few seconds, expelled her bowels (a milky white substance), and then came to a final rest. I gently laid her in a box, and we’ve made arrangements to have her cremated.

I wish I would have taken a few moments to give her a good inspection, but I was pretty traumatized from the experience and beside myself with the loss (she was my favorite). I couldn’t bring myself to take another look. The only thing that was very noticable was that her comb, waddles, and really most of her face was purple.

I’m so saddened by this loss. I try my very best to give my girls the best possible life. I just don’t know what happened to her, and I’m scared for the rest of my flock. From what I’ve researched, it seems like she had heart failure. Other possibilities include: respiratory failure, poisoning, or a common disease that she showed no signs of. Also, we noticed there was a discolored egg that she may have laid in the other box - the eggs are normally a pretty brown, but this was completely coated in a milky colored film. Not sure if that’s relevant, but figured I mention it just in case.

Other possibly helpful info:
-She was the leader of the flock, top of the pecking order
-She spent the entire day before outside scratching and pecking in the sunshine with her sisters, and seemed completely fine
-The other girls in the flock seem completely fine
-I feed my girls standard layer feed crumbles
-They have access to fresh water always
-I feed them veggie, seed, and worm treats weekly
-I clean their coop almost weekly! And try my very best to keep them warm, cozy, and safe!

It has been weighing on me all day, and I am just hoping someone maybe has some insights or guidance about what might have happened to my sweet girl. Any information is greatly appreciated.

 

[Kayla's Lunch]

I am so sorry for loss.

 

[silkie1472]

I’ve had something similar if not the exact same thing happen to one of my hens a year back. I have a lot of experience with chickens along with their well-being, but I wasn’t sure about this either. It was a sudden event. One morning she was fine, and the following afternoon she was weak, couldn’t hold down food or water, and passed clear/white liquid.

I can offer no help as to what may have happened. I have ideas, but I am not very familiar with these complications and I refuse to explain something I know little about. Hopefully somebody can explain what happened!

 

[micstrachan]

I am so sorry for your loss. The only way to be sure would be to send her in for necropsy. Based on the purple face color I g, I also suspect a respiratory or cardiac problem. I’m sorry. It really hurts to lose them.

 

[Trux]

Sorry for your loss...I have a Roo whose comb turns purple a lot and according to the vet and other things i have read it is more than likely a heart condition. you could have her brought to your states lab and have a necropsy done if you really want to know what happened. The purple is due to the lack of blood flow. here is a link for you, keep it handy, bookmark it so you always have it to refer too. It has helped me a lot since I found it
Don't beat yourself up over this loss, as it more than likely isn't your fault. Things like this happen, and has happened to everyone of us at one time or another. I have lost two of my original flock, one to heat and one was a mystery, went out to do the morning feeding and she was on the floor next to the waterer. Came from same hatchery as well so you never know.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

I'm sorry you lost her I know it hurts so much.
As already said, there is genuinely no way of knowing without a necropsy. It's guess work otherwise. But yes, purple comb means lack of blood flow. This could be heart, respiratory, or even a tumor pressing against a vital organ. It's fairly safe to say, there is nothing you could have done

 

[Trux]

I forgot that link in my post so here it is
http://www.poultrydvm.com/views/symptoms.php

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Other possibilities include: respiratory failure, poisoning, or a common disease that she showed no signs of.

I'm sorry for your loss and that you joined under such sad circumstances
Unfortunately there is no way to know the cause of death unless testing/necropsy is performed. You can find your state lab here:
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

Your mention of "poisoning" as a possibility is concerning. Can you explain that a little more?

 

[MissChick@dee]

RSL’s are sweet and mellow laid-back kind of birds. They are awesome.
So sorry for your loss.
They also are prolific layers.
Mine have not missed one single day since first starting at 18 weeks.
I think the mystery egg could of held a lot of answers for you. If you should get another... save it and post pictures.
Being egg bound can cause many issues. A reproductive problem can exhibit many symptoms.
I’m truly sorry for your loss.

 

[ChickenLove1113]

I am so sorry for loss.

I really appreciate that, thank you.