My roo died. Any ideas?

[memiller123]

My 6 month old BO roo just laid down in the yard today and died. No sign of injury. No symptoms of any disease. All the other chickens are fine. He had been eating, crowing, mating, and had lots of energy just an hour or so before. Has access to plenty of shelter from the heat, water, and food. He didn't even flop. He laid down on his belly and just died; his feathers were all in perfect place.

Have you ever had a chicken just up and die for no apparent reason? I guess that's possible, but it's still puzzling.

 

[speckledhen]

Happens quite often with roosters. They lead a high stress life so their hearts often just quit on them, especially in hot weather.

 

[Jesseschickens]

sometimes the genetic make up of a chicken can go all wrong and heat can cause there hearts to give in if there is some sort of malfonction my bo hen did this only it was when she went to roost.

 

[savingpurple]

sorry for your loss.....

 

[Evelle]

thats so sad... im sorry

 

[speckledhen]

I wanted to add that it is even more common with the big roosters like the Orps. My friend Ellie in California had the exact same thing happen with her six month old Buff Orp cockerel. Dropped dead suddenly, no reason, just gone.

 

[memiller123]

Thanks for the responses. I guess his heart just gave out. Poor feller.