My chicken died. What do I need to do.

[eggcatcher]

I've had three leghorns for about 1 1/2 years, I think they are about 2 yo now. One of the chickens always was slower than the others. Didn't try to fly. Was always way behind the other two. No fighting pecking etc. I had noticed that the chicken that died Ethel 2, had been even slower the last couple of weeks and had a hard time getting up to the roost even with the board to climb up the last couple of days. She seemed fine this morning "her" normal self. No diarrhea. Did notice her wheezing a little at times the last couple of days. When I came home from church she was dead on the barn floor up against the door as far away from the coop as she could get. There were no signs of any trauma. No indications that anything had gotten into the barn, it's a plastic shed so it's pretty secure. The other two chickens seem fine. Ran out as soon as I let them out when I got home, I kept them in the barn this morning because there was sleet on the ground. I cleaned out the waterer really good and cleaned the roost (as best you can wood) and wiped down the poop, board, cleaned the floor pretty good it's plastic too. I WONDER if the chicken that died had something genetically wrong? She has always been slower than the other two. I don't know what else to do or if I need to do anything else. The other two Lucy and Ethel 1 layed eggs today and are out scratching in the backyard. I'm a little shook just didn't expect to come home and find her dead and don't know if I need to worry about the other two. Any advice would be welcome.

 

[schellie69]

so sorry for your loss, I don't know what could have happened but I just want to let you know that sometimes it happens

 

[andalusn]

When you have animals it goes with the territory. Sometimes there is no obvious reason as to why they die ... they just do. My first "guess" would be egg bound. As with most animals you check for the the main areas of wellness. Are they eating? Are they drinking their water? Are they acting as normal? It sounds like this one sad as it is has passed away and more than likely no danger to the others that remain.

 

[jaimslee4u]

If she has issues from the beginning it could have been genetic.

 

[chickenzoo]

She could have had internal issues. Do you worm your birds? Sometimes worms can seem to affect one bird worse than others.