Mysteriously dead chicken

[hayliej13]

Last night when I checked on the girls, everything was fine. This morning when I went out to the coop I found my 7 month Australorp (Rue, my favorite) lying at a weird angle. When I picked her up, her head rolled around her neck and she seemed to have muscle problems. Her body temperature was low but she was still breathing, so I took her to the house and stuck her under the heat lamp. I held her until she passed on. This is really upsetting because not only was she my favorite, but I'm afraid my other chickens are at risk! If you have any idea what could have happened to Rue, I would really appreciate it!

Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Sorry for your loss, I know that's upsetting.

Check out the following thread as it asks specific questions to enable our more experienced members to help you. Copy and paste the questions and your answers into this thread. I'm too new at this to be of any help to you but I can at least head you towards what you need to enable someone with experience to give you an answer.

Good Luck!

This thread> https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/3569/have-an-emergency-disease-please-read-first

 

[hayliej13]

OK, well...


1) What type of bird , age and weight.
Australorp. 7 months or so. not certain, maybe 6? Average weight for that age.
2) What is was the behavior, exactly.
Super relaxed muscles, she was very limp. Low body temp but that could be because of how long she had lain by herself, it was chilly last night. (64 degrees)
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
I found her on the ground around 9 AM, she dies around 9:30 I think? I have no idea how long she had been like that. No longer that 10 hours.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
They are all behaving normally .
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Unknown.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Her regular feed and water. there have been no changes.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
n/a
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
n/a
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
n/a
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
There are 5 4 chickens in a huge dog kennel. (15x35 feet). Partially shaded. large house. Pellet bedding. No recent changes to their environment.

 

[casportpony]

Sorry for you loss... I believe the symptoms you described were just her well into the process of dying. If she were mine, I would send her to the State lab for a necropsy. Many will do them for free or a small fee. If that's something you can do, put her in a bag and stick her in the fridge until you can get the shipping stuff together. I use a cardboard box lined with styrofoam from Home Depot (cheaper than art supply stores) and double bag everything to ensure no leakage. Don't tell the shipping company that you're sending a dead animal.

 

[casportpony]

If by chance you're in California, these are the labs: http://cahfs.ucdavis.edu/services/lab_locations.cfm
They would probably know where to send your bird if you can't figure it out.