My 3 year old roo just died

[ChickenladyinMN]

My 3 year old roo just died this morning and the only thing that we noticed was that his comb was really purple looking. He had a lot of health issues when he was younger but we seemed to have gotten past all that. He seemed very healthy and happy I just spent the day with him yesterday and he was fine. My DH left for work this morning at 8:30 and he was crowing then, at 10:30 my DD and I went to give him breakfast and there he was - just laying there. Does anyone have any ideas on what might have happened?

 

[Sillystunt]

 

[jjthink]

I'm so sorry. He may have had heart failure/attack

JJ

 

[ChickenladyinMN]

Thanks so much for your support, its nice to know that there are people out there who care about their chickens as much as I do. They are all like family in a way. Some you just seem to get attacked to more that others and this roo was mine, he was very attached to me probably because when he was sick I was the main care giver and I spoiled him, he was a replacement when my older roo passed. It has been hard because I just lost my 7 1/2 year old spoiled hen the day before mothers day.

 

[RedfogsFlock]

so sorry for your loss

 

[jjthink]

I adore them and I understand

My roo is 8 or 9 now and is a sweet selfless endearing soul. My heart will be broken when the time comes. As it has been when I've lost hens - such joyful quirky priceless beings.
Someday I hope a critical mass of humans will know how interesting and amazing these beings are.
Hugs,
JJ

 

[MattalynsBarn]

I have (now) 9 chicks because I just lost one a few days ago. I cried all day. Just remember he went quickly, so even if there was some pain, there wasn't much

 

[chicknurse]

I just lost 3 chickens and I have lost another 4 in Feb of this year. My heart goes out to you. Maybe, he is chasing my girls up in Chicken Heaven and having a grand time with them

. Sorry for your loss.

 

[wayne33]

So sorry for your loss.Im watching my rooster right now who is about a year old with some health related issues.I will feel just as you do if I discover the same thing.hang in their

 

[SilverPhoenix]

I'm so sorry to hear about your roo.

The purple comb just means he wasn't getting oxygen to his comb, so it's hard to say what caused the death. Sometimes they just die suddenly like that and we don't know why. I've had a few go like that, where there was just no explanation I could find at all and they were previously young and healthy.

I completely understand your grief at losing your rooster! I get very attached to all of my chickens as well. They are all individuals and have such wonderful personalities, I think people who don't get attached are missing out. Chickens really do become a part of the family if you let them. I have four hens that are twelve years old and it's amazing to think that I've had them since I was ten years old!