Lost our beautiful girl. Help?

[Bawkbok]

I'm sorry for your loss. It's devastating to lose a chicken, no matter the reason. Don't hate yourself, that serves no purpose other than to feel worse about the situation.
As resilient as chickens are they also seem to be fragile.

 

[Hollysaurus]

Sorry for your loss. Molting is a stressful time and that is the most common time to lose one. The bitter cold in January and Feb is also a time for an illness to show up. If you worm the others at this time, I would get Valbazen which is safe for molting. Dosage is 0.5 ml (1/2 ml) given orally for a 4-6 pound hen, and repeat it in 10 days. You can open her abdomen and take some pictures of her organs, and possibly get some idea of her issue. Look at the intestines where you may see worms inside, and you can cut them open to look further. Note any spots on organs, large amounts of fat, any yellow fluid inside the belly, and look for any lash egg material or unexplained masses. Take pictures of the organs and post here for any advice. Here is a good video of a necropsy with identification of the organs:

Thank you,
I believe we got the Valbazen; they suggested it to my husband. I was going to get Homepet.

We have to repeat for 3 days if it's bad, considering we lost a hen, I will dose them tomorrow and the day after too, then again after 10 days.

I would love to try and see what it was that caused it, but I just can't. She was a dear pet and I or my husband don't have the heart to cut her open. I am pretty sure it's due to worms; just caught off guard because none of them shown signs.

I guess it doesn't matter how prepared you are with things, something will creep up. It's so heartbreaking.

 

[User690263]

I'm sorry for your loss.
My first rabbits were named Maple and Aspen
They were both Holland Lops

 

[Hollysaurus]

I'm sorry for your loss. It's devastating to lose a chicken, no matter the reason. Don't hate yourself, that serves no purpose other than to feel worse about the situation.
As resilient as chickens are they also seem to be fragile.

Thank you, I just wish I could of noticed before the loss of our beloved hen. She was such a gem. She'd get jealous and perch on mine or my husbands shoulder in the garden if we were paying attention to one of the other girls. She was such a character.

 

[Hollysaurus]

I'm sorry for your loss.
My first rabbits were named Maple and Aspen
They were both Holland Lops

Aww <3
We named our girls all after trees, I don't know what sparked it. Suited them well. Holland lops are gorgeous.

 

[StinkyAcres]

What makes you think it's worms?

 

[Hollysaurus]

What makes you think it's worms?

The sudden weight loss.

It has to be something they all have, our Silver Wyandotte and Light Brahma have also lost weight. I am checking out their poop and they seem to be runny, green'ish. The Wyandotte's comb is slightly pale too so I am just connecting the dots.

Everything else has been checked. I know they're molting so no eggs at the moment. No respiratory issues, No sour crop, No mites.

I just don't know how I could of caught this sooner. I mean we pick up our chickens a lot, they usually perch on our shoulders while we're walking around the garden.

I guess the timing with winter; we assumed the wrong things. Can't really see there poop unless you go digging for it. They're well bedded in the winter, inside there coop and in the run.

This seemed to have got our Maple within a week, is that normal if not caught in time with worms?

 

[StinkyAcres]

The sudden weight loss.

It has to be something they all have, our Silver Wyandotte and Light Brahma have also lost weight. I am checking out their poop and they seem to be runny, green'ish. The Wyandotte's comb is slightly pale too so I am just connecting the dots.

Everything else has been checked. I know they're molting so no eggs at the moment. No respiratory issues, No sour crop, No mites.

I just don't know how I could of caught this sooner. I mean we pick up our chickens a lot, they usually perch on our shoulders while we're walking around the garden.

I guess the timing with winter; we assumed the wrong things. Can't really see there poop unless you go digging for it. They're well bedded in the winter, inside there coop and in the run.

This seemed to have got our Maple within a week, is that normal if not caught in time with worms?

Weight loss and pale combs are normal signs of molt, so don't feel bad that you didn't catch whatever Maple had sooner. I, fortunately, have never dealt with worms in my chickens, so I don't know how quickly the signs progress. But the purple comb is concerning and is not normal. It could be that she had a heart problem, or you may be right that they have worms and she couldn't fight them. Again, don't beat yourself up over it. You are a very observant and caring chicken keeper.

 

[Hollysaurus]

Weight loss and pale combs are normal signs of molt, so don't feel bad that you didn't catch whatever Maple had sooner. I, fortunately, have never dealt with worms in my chickens, so I don't know how quickly the signs progress. But the purple comb is concerning and is not normal. It could be that she had a heart problem, or you may be right that they have worms and she couldn't fight them. Again, don't beat yourself up over it. You are a very observant and caring chicken keeper.

Thank you, I really appreciate the words. ♥
I am beating myself up because these guys helped us at such a bad time in our lives that they might as well be our children. They grew up inside our house, cuddled on fluffy blankets and were practically glued to our laps. It was only Maple and Aspen back then; we got Magnolia and Hazel a good few months later... (as they needed friends, haha)

The comb is what is worrying me, our Light Brahma's comb is looking a bit purple now too. So it's why I am thinking it's something they all have.

We have two new girls as well that should be laying by now but are not (June and Poppy). We just assumed they're all molting so doing there thing and just not laying eggs.

I know worms stop egg production if they get bad. Hopefully I am right and found the issue before we lose another two beloved hens.

If we do lose them I don't think I'll be rushing to get chicks anytime soon. This has broken me. We'll most likely get more when we move; need a bigger house anyway with a bigger backyard, but that won't be for another 5yrs or so.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

Heat lamps here are used by literally every chicken owner, I don't think I know anyone around here that doesn't use one in our winters. It all depends where you live to know if you will need one. Our winters are very cold.

Thank you, I'm starting to think if it was worms. I'm just hating myself for not picking up on it sooner. I hate how they always seem fine, chickens are so hardy.

Useing heat lamps will make your chickens less resistant to the weather and will make them sick. My winters here in Missouri get into -20f and I never used heat lamps, even with babies. If your worried about the cold insulation in your coop will be a better option with ventilation.