My silkie died!

[4 Georgia Hens]

Hi guys!
So yesterday my favorite chicken died. We aren't exactly sure what happend, but I believe that she somehow fell off of a tallish structure, and broke her neck. When we found her her legs and body were stiff, but her head was flopping around like her neck was broken. I half expected it to fall off! We had a strong bond, so it really hurts to think about it. Her name was Stella. Some of y'all might remember her. I think she is about 9 months old, give or take a few weeks. I really don't think that it was illness, because I (probably) would have noticed SOMETHING! But, I could very easily be wrong. What do y'all think? Any advice/encouragement will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

 

[MrsMistyReal]

My deepest condolences for your loss. She's a gorgeous feathered family member. I know the loss is great, & the pain is unbearable but in do time it eases, but never leaves. With that said my prayers and thoughts are with you & yours

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Good morning.

So sorry for your loss.

What a little beauty! Looks like she might have been blue.

So when you found her, was she near a tallish structure that she could have fallen off of?

Since chickens are prey animals they will hide everything they can because otherwise they become an easy target. So it is possible that you didn't notice something. If you haven't already buried or otherwise disposed of the body.. I suggest refrigerating and send for necropsy. It's the only way to know the truth. It is often cheap or free to non commercial resident as a means of protecting our food supply chains.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures.799747/

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

It seems like it's the favorites who always go first. My daughter lost her favorite Silkie hen this past week as well. We noticed something was off and she passed that very night.

 

[Newfarmer36]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's so hard losing animals that we love.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's so hard losing animals that we love.

My deepest condolences for your loss. She's a gorgeous feathered family member. I know the loss is great, & the pain is unbearable but in do time it eases, but never leaves. With that said my prayers and thoughts are with you & yours

Good morning.

So sorry for your loss.

What a little beauty! Looks like she might have been blue.

So when you found her, was she near a tallish structure that she could have fallen off of?

Since chickens are prey animals they will hide everything they can because otherwise they become an easy target. So it is possible that you didn't notice something. If you haven't already buried or otherwise disposed of the body.. I suggest refrigerating and send for necropsy. It's the only way to know the truth. It is often cheap or free to non commercial resident as a means of protecting our food supply chains.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures.799747/

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

It seems like it's the favorites who always go first. My daughter lost her favorite Silkie hen this past week as well. We noticed something was off and she passed that very night.

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's so hard losing animals that we love.

Thank you all! @EggSighted4Life my little brother found her, so idk. We plan to freeze her and bury her at our new house. I don’t think that we will send her in for a necropsy.
I really appreciate all of the kind words! Thank you ALL!!!!

 

[red horse ranch]

It's so hard to lose our animals and birds. Hubby and I are still grieving over losses that we have had lately and I know how you are feeling. It Hurts! Especially when you don't know WHY!
So glad you were able to share with us. We're here for you.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

It's so hard to lose our animals and birds. Hubby and I are still grieving over losses that we have had lately and I know how you are feeling. It Hurts! Especially when you don't know WHY!
So glad you were able to share with us. We're here for you.

Thank you! And I’m sorry about your losses too!

 

[N F C]

So sorry for your loss, that's never easy no matter what the reason.

 

[Jennifer Cappi Williams]

OMG I am so sorry... When my dear goose Silly died, she just dropped dead on me. She was acting her normal broody, egg laying self and then the next day she was just dead. I had woke up that morning thinking she was standing besides the bed. I then called my boyfriend and told him to plan on reinforcing the goose pen because I was scared something was going to kill my geese. I then got up and looked outside...and screamed. My other goose Puddles was desperately trying to get Silly up. I ran outside and Silly had just died. She was gone but her body was still warm. I ran around holding her just screaming. I drove them both to work at the stable to plan on burying her there but I could not put her down. I finally decided to take her to the vet for a necropsy. I even assisted the vet during it. Her intestines were black... and where the black met the pink, a metal washer. I had seen that very washer about a week ago by my foot when I was carrying feed buckets out and accidently kicked it. I know Silly was close to me but when I went to pick it up... I could not find it. I still have that metal washer.... Puddles has a new companion, Capt. Waddles, but she is not as in love with the Captain as with my dear Silly. I do know how heartbroken you feel over a loss of a feathered baby.

 

[red horse ranch]

OMG I am so sorry... When my dear goose Silly died, she just dropped dead on me. She was acting her normal broody, egg laying self and then the next day she was just dead. I had woke up that morning thinking she was standing besides the bed. I then called my boyfriend and told him to plan on reinforcing the goose pen because I was scared something was going to kill my geese. I then got up and looked outside...and screamed. My other goose Puddles was desperately trying to get Silly up. I ran outside and Silly had just died. She was gone but her body was still warm. I ran around holding her just screaming. I drove them both to work at the stable to plan on burying her there but I could not put her down. I finally decided to take her to the vet for a necropsy. I even assisted the vet during it. Her intestines were black... and where the black met the pink, a metal washer. I had seen that very washer about a week ago by my foot when I was carrying feed buckets out and accidently kicked it. I know Silly was close to me but when I went to pick it up... I could not find it. I still have that metal washer.... Puddles has a new companion, Capt. Waddles, but she is not as in love with the Captain as with my dear Silly. I do know how heartbroken you feel over a loss of a feathered baby.

That is so sad! It's good that you had the necropsy done. It gives a warning to all of us to watch for little things like that.
I hope Your new goose will become as loved as your Silly was.