My hen just died...I have some questions *Graphic pic*

[Eggcessive]

Here is one with clear photos:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/found-dead-hen-very-graphic-necropsy-photos.766834/

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm very sorry.... That sounds awful...


Good luck on the necropsy. I hope you find some of the answers you need.

 

[cleoandtheflock]

She looked like a very sweet hen
Did she have a name
Tell us what happens if you or someone does a necropsy

 

[Sue Gremlin]

Sorry for your loss. You definitely didn't kill her by soaking her. If you do necropsy her, you can take photos of her open abdomen and post them, we may be able to help if you want.

 

[Trish1974]

Well, as I started to cut her open, little, almost microscopic black dots started moving all around her skin and onto my hand. She had a massive mite infestation! That is so frustrating. I check them for bugs, but when I do a check I never see any. When I look I move their body feathers, look under their wings, around the vent. I don't know if that is what killed her, because the other hen I bought with her and the one she was housed with is just fine. She will be getting sprayed tonight, though, and the coop cleaned and sprayed tomorrow.

If you open her abdomen, look for any yellow or clear fluid that comes out when you piece the abdominal cavity.

A really shiny clear fluid came out when I pierced the abdominal cavity. In this picture, I assume the yellow is fat and not egg material?

That's as far as I got. I was frustrated, pissed, sad, and uncomfortable kneeling on the deck. I buried her remains next to the only other bird I've lost, my Buff Orpington.

For future reference, is soaking in warm epsom salts a bad idea? She wasn't in good shape when I put her in there, but she rapidly went downhill during the soak. I can't help but think I killed her.

 

[cleoandtheflock]

Well, as I started to cut her open, little, almost microscopic black dots started moving all around her skin and onto my hand. She had a massive mite infestation! That is so frustrating. I check them for bugs, but when I do a check I never see any. When I look I move their body feathers, look under their wings, around the vent. I don't know if that is what killed her, because the other hen I bought with her and the one she was housed with is just fine. She will be getting sprayed tonight, though, and the coop cleaned and sprayed tomorrow.


A really shiny clear fluid came out when I pierced the abdominal cavity. In this picture, I assume the yellow is fat and not egg material?
View attachment 1715529

That's as far as I got. I was frustrated, pissed, sad, and uncomfortable kneeling on the deck. I buried her remains next to the only other bird I've lost, my Buff Orpington.

For future reference, is soaking in warm epsom salts a bad idea? She wasn't in good shape when I put her in there, but she rapidly went downhill during the soak. I can't help but think I killed her.

How warm was it
It could have shocked her or made her scared after already feeling not to great
I don’t know
but warm epsom salt bathes can be good for egg bound hens and injuries

 

[Aunt Angus]

Could the clear liquid be ascites? Someone who knows more can help. But if it is, then your bath is def NOT what killed her.

 

[Sue Gremlin]

You didn't kill her. It seems to me that she was on her way out by the time you got to her. I'm sorry for your stress with this.
The yellow is fat, but I also may see signs of adhesions, flecks of yellow scattered in the abdome. It's very hard to say from just this pic, but it does look like she may have died from peritonitis, especially since you describe lots of fluid coming from her abdomen. If that was the case, there was absolutely nothing that could have been done for her.

 

[cleoandtheflock]

Mites seem to be little blood sucking creatures that just be on the chickens but they slowly do kill them
The loss of blood leads to them being anemic then they start to get sick
That could have been slightly part of it

 

[Aunt Angus]

You need hugs, I think. Here's a virtual one: