My hen has just passed away

[moeleejoe]

One of my Easter eggers has just passed away. Henrietta was fine this morning. Just today at around 4:30pm, I went out to give snacks and collect eggs. Henrietta is one of 4 in my flock. I noticed her breathing was labored. This is our first flock. We lost Pepper over a month ago suddenly. She too was perfectly fine and had no signs of illness and did not have labored breath. Not knowing what to do for Henrietta, I put her in a soak thinking maybe she was egg bound. She was not. I took her out and wrapped her in a towel and sat wither her while I tried locating a vet that I could take her to. By 5:30 she was gone. She was lethargic but had a seziure and that was it. I am devastated. She had no signs of illness prior to this and was the biggest of the flock. I’d like some feed back on what this community thinks. I am worried for the rest of my girls. They as of right now are acting just like they always do. Eating, foreging , active.. I just don’t know what to do.

 

[Tookie]

I'm so sorry she passed.
If you want to know exactly what happened send her in for a necropsy.

 

[Tonyroo]

What age was both birds?
Have you brought something new to the chicken yard/coop?
@Eggcessive , @Wyorp Rock , can you help?

 

[Eggcessive]

Very sorry for your loss. Do you know how old your chickens were? Were they laying eggs regularly? Have you added any new ones lately? If you still have her body, you can keep it cold, not frozen, and contact your state vet for a necropsy. Tell them it is for a backyard pet chicken. Here is a link to contact yours in Harrisburg or one of the other 2:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[moeleejoe]

What age was both birds?
Have you brought something new to the chicken yard/coop?
@Eggcessive , @Wyorp Rock , can you help?

They are all born April of 2021 so about a year and a half. My husband just checked over Henrietta and it turns out she was egg bound. I feel so awful. Nothing new at all as far as the coup. Very routine. How did I not notice before today? It just so upsetting

 

[moeleejoe]

Very sorry for your loss. Do you know how old your chickens were? Were they laying eggs regularly? Have you added any new ones lately? If you still have her body, you can keep it cold, not frozen, and contact your state vet for a necropsy. Tell them it is for a backyard pet chicken. Here is a link to contact yours in Harrisburg or one of the other 2:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Thank you. Turns out after examination that she was egg bound but I simply did not notice any off behavior before this afternoon and I am beating myself up. I’m just so sad. Thank you for the link. I have 3 girls left and will do everything I can to keep them healthy and happy.

 

[Potatofluffycheeksforever]

 

[moeleejoe]

I'm so sorry she passed.
If you want to know exactly what happened send her in for a necropsy.

Thank you Tookie. My husband examined her when he got home and it turns out she was egg bound. How there seemed to be no signs before this afternoon and her being gone within an hour upsets me so much. I feel responsible and will be super alert as to the rest of my flock

 

[BarnyardChaos]

So sorry for your loss.

 

[Shevraeth]

It's clear she had a lovely, cared for life with your family- sorry for your loss.