Mysterious death

[scarlet_jester]

I had a silver apple yard hen only about 9 mos. old. She was a runt and pretty much unable to lay eggs, every time she did lay an egg, they were very tiny or not well formed. Two days ago she didn't want to come out of her house in the morning, I thought maybe because she didn't want me to take her sister's egg. So I left it there and let her be. She eventually came out of the house when I left the pen and seemed her usual self. Yesterday, same thing. This morning same thing, then while I was cleaning the pen I noticed she had foamy eye. Her ONLY symptoms were foamy eye and lethargy, no labored breathing, no stumbling when she would walk. She just kept laying down and being lethargic. A few hours later I found her dead. I have no idea what happened. Her sister seems her plucky energetic self but I'm concerned for her. Any ideas or advice? Thanks for reading.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC! Sorry for your loss. How would you feel about having her necropsied to find out what was wrong with her?

 

[Sequel]

I'm so sorry you lost your poor chicken! I sent one of mine in, I never would have thought of it if I hadn't read about it here. If you have other chickens it's good to know if there is something that could affect the rest of the flock.

 

[scarlet_jester]

The Appleyards are ducks, sorry I should have specified that but we can't afford to have her necropsied.

 

[casportpony]

The Appleyards are ducks, sorry I should have specified that but we can't afford to have her necropsied.

some states offer free or very low cost necropsies. Where do you live?

 

[scarlet_jester]

I've talked to our vet about duck health before we got the ducks. They consider them "exotic animals" and their "exotic vet" only comes into town a couple times a week. I will see how much they charge, but I heard it was like $100.

 

[Kiki]

I've talked to our vet about duck health before we got the ducks. They consider them "exotic animals" and their "exotic vet" only comes into town a couple times a week. I will see how much they charge, but I heard it was like $100.

What state are you in?
State lab's are cheaper. Each stAte has one.

 

[Helloworld]

Look up foamy eye disease.

 

[scarlet_jester]

Texas Kiki I live in Washington state.
Helloworld I did look up foamy eye and was going to treat her for it but found her dead the same day, just hours after I saw the foamy eye. Everything I have read didn't mention that it is a life threatening illness.

 

[Kiki]

You can find your state lab listed on this link:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/necropsy-and-disease-testing-lab-info.1236884/