My first necropsy on my lovely Matilda (graphic pic warning).

[PouleChick]

Thank you for posting your necropsy photos. It never is easy doing them, but so very helpful to know what was wrong with them.

I commend you for your ability to find out why. It had to be difficult and sad. Very sad.

Sending Hugs! Thanks for being brave enough to show us your necropsy

You were brave to investigate and I’m glad for you that you did.
I really DOES help to have an answer.

Very well done on the necropsy.. and thank you for sharing pics.. no doubt it was a difficult thing to do.

I commend you on going thru with the necropsy, it shows you as a keeper are willing to do what it takes to better your knowledge and do what's best for your flock! We all are constantly learning, if not from our own experiences, that of others as well.

Thanks so much everyone - it was difficult, more so being the first and my first baby - I did shed a few tears after the deed was done. Next time I think I'll have dh there for pic taking as I had to keep taking my gloves on and off! Thank you @Trux for putting into words what I was trying to do re my knowledge - you hit it on the head and if it can help someone else to do it then that is good too!

Condolences on the loss and Kudos on the necropsy.

Can understand not wanting to go further,
especially if you've never gutted a bird before,
and the stink of rotten eggs.

If it makes you feel any better,
chances are nothing could have been done anyway.

The smell was foul and thank you that does make me feel better that I couldn't have done anything. I was amazed at the quantity of fluid (if you look at my last post with updated pic!), my poor poor girl and she didn't let on to me at all she was suffering.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

I have been talking about this on our UK thread too and CCUK kindly explained to me about peritonitis - I think I said that I thought she was egg bound but obviously with an abdomen full of stinky yolk it was more than that. I think I had my terminology and understanding of what was going on a bit wiggly! here is what he posted to me for others who may not understand all the chicken terminology / physiology!
This was my initial reply to him about it:

and the reply:

Great info!

Thanks so much everyone - it was difficult, more so being the first and my first baby - I did shed a few tears after the deed was done. Next time I think I'll have dh there for pic taking as I had to keep taking my gloves on and off! Thank you @Trux for putting into words what I was trying to do re my knowledge - you hit it on the head and if it can help someone else to do it then that is good too!

The smell was foul and thank you that does make me feel better that I couldn't have done anything. I was amazed at the quantity of fluid (if you look at my last post with updated pic!), my poor poor girl and she didn't let on to me at all she was suffering.

it can be hard to tell when one is sick sometimes and shedding a tear is completely understandable!

 

[aart]

I was amazed at the quantity of fluid

Had a bird with ascites(water belly) due to leukosis(virus), this is most of the fluid(quart) that was inside her.

 

[Banditschickens]

 

[Anaray]

I am very sorry for your loss. At least she went on her own quickly and spared you from making a final decision or a long ordeal for both of you.

 

[Shadrach]

Thank you - I figured if I can cope with collecting babies at ceasars I can cope with a autopsy - did need a few steadying moments before though!

Thank you

Thank you. I think Shad was just offering me some alternative ideas to the sex links.

I did wonder if it would impact, didnt' think about prolapse (does that mean I could have helped her if it was that?) - in fact there was a huge one last week - could have been hers (not sure though as there are lots with very similar colour) - well over 100g - 106 I think. I have 2 marans pullets and I'm absolutely thrilled with them - the shell colours are excellent - way up on the Marans club of France scale 7-8 and the eggs taste excellent and they have been laying so so so well since they started a month or two back. I thought that they would give you more than that? I'd say I'm getting at least 5/ week per hen here- although it is thier first laying spring. Not heard of those birds, will go and have a look.

No, that wasn't a prolapse and unless you had been super observant and very lucky there would have been nothing you could have done, so do not beat yourself up.
I mentioned prolapsed vents because it's a common problem with high production hens, particularly those that lay larger than normal eggs which of course eggs with double yolks tend to be given that you mentioned she laid some double yolkers.
I have not seen a study that statistically correlates a particular breed with particular reproductive problems. However, it seems to be accepted by a number of studies in veterinary avian science that the breeds bred for higher egg production tend to get these problems earlier than less productive hens.
This might be a point worth considering for those who are interested in longevity rather than egg production.
You and Matilda have just been unlucky and her early death is not indicative of any lack of care on your part. If there are people at fault, it's the breeders who have deliberately bred over and over again for high egg production knowing the the life expectancy of the hen is drastically reduced.

 

[Liddy]

Thank you, everyone for an interesting and enlightening post. PouleChick, you're my new hero! (I applaud your ability to work on a beloved pet.)

I know a little about internal problems in chickens, mostly from my own experiences. I discovered peritonitis in a hen I butchered several years ago. She had been fairly normal in activity and appearance...until I plucked her and laid her out next to the other hen I culled that day. She had a moderately distended abdomen and her skin was GRAY! There was no evidence of ascites, but I found what appeared to be nested eggs in her body cavity. My assumption was that her body attempted to encapsulate the foreign material.



Is it normal for this to occur without any fluid?

Sorry if I'm highjacking this thread, but it seemed related and the best place to get input.

Thanks to all!

 

[Banditschickens]

 

[PouleChick]

Had a bird with ascites(water belly) due to leukosis(virus), this is most of the fluid(quart) that was inside her.

Oh my goodness- that is just huge!

I am very sorry for your loss. At least she went on her own quickly and spared you from making a final decision or a long ordeal for both of you.

Thanks Ana, I know would have hated to seen her suffering (she probably was but I didn't know).

No, that wasn't a prolapse and unless you had been super observant and very lucky there would have been nothing you could have done, so do not beat yourself up.

Thanks Shad'

Thank you, everyone for an interesting and enlightening post. PouleChick, you're my new hero! (I applaud your ability to work on a beloved pet.)

Aww thank you.

Is it normal for this to occur without any fluid?

I dont' know - hopefully one of the others will. Strange with the grey skin too.

 

[Trux]

Looks like lash eggs to me

Thank you @Trux for putting into words what I was trying to do re my knowledge - you hit it on the head and if it can help someone else to do it then that is good too!

Your welcome! You went above and beyond what most, not all, but most, would not do. Chicken keeping is not just about the eggs, or meat, it is also about learning from your experiences, and what to do in certain situations.