Necropsy pics, need opinions - GRAPHIC

[TammyP]

Thank you for responding. I see you answered it earlier and I missed that post.

I was just wondering why a 1.5 yr old hen would not have any eggs or yolks or anything at all in the tract.....there should be something there.....a few yolks up the line or something. Perhaps the problem had something do with that persay? Those kidneys just don't look normal either.....

I just am curious as to what might have been the problem...

Sorry about the loss.

~Tammy

 

[Frosty]

You know, as many chickens and turkeys as we have sent to freezer camp, you would think I would be more familiar with the innards but I never really laid them out and inspected them. I am embarrassed to admit that I had to look on line at chicken anatomy to figure out what the cecum was (saw it there and had no idea of what it was)

Note to self, next time lay the innards out and take a good look to have a comparison for future reference.

Yes, it does raise more questions, I was hoping it would be something glaringly obvious like she was egg bound or something...

You guys are awesome!

Editing to add: TammyP I was surprised at not seeing any eggs too. Perhaps she was molting and quit laying for it? I really don't have an answer for that one. I do know that my friend has some spoiled chickens with a clean home. She is getting eggs from her flock, though not as many as she has hens. I know that right now my girls have been going through a molt and the days are getting short (about 10 hours of daylight). Much as I would love a definate answer, it looks like we won't get that this time. As long as it's an isolated death, I won't hit the panic button.

 

[CMV]

It's funny. I have processed more birds than I can count, but this last year I was training 2 chicken proteges, so I made an effort to teach them chicken anatomy and physiology while processing. It was very educational for them, but for me, as well. I wanted to show them chicken anatomy, but I discovered some (unsuspected) issues in the birds that led to discussions, which led to research and further discussions...By the end of it, we all had a much greater understanding of avian anatomy and physiology. Prior to this I had just scooped and discarded during processing. When you actually look at what you are seeing you can see some pretty amazing things.

You have a good eye, Frosty. You need a protege. The best thing about having someone that wants to learn from you is that you keep learning yourself.

Good luck.

 

[Frosty]

These things (and problems that folks here have) do tend to send me on a research frenzy... I like the learning part, though I wish it wasn't because there is a problem. Scoop and dump is exactly what we have always done.

My friend is kind of a protege, but she is doing great on her own. I have been raising chickens and turkeys since 1994 (we also had chickens when I was young so the addiction started there for me). My friend came out every fall for turkey butcher day, and one day told me that she wanted chickens and asked to have a few included with my spring order. She picked her breeds and said that six was enough for her laying flock. This was her third year ordering chicks and I think she has around 30 now? Like a true friend, I shared my addiction

We have a lot of fun deciding what breeds we want to try next. Her husband is probably ready to strangle me since they ended up building a new bigger hen house...

Your protege is lucky to have somebody so knowledgable to teach them. I hope they appreciate that!

 

[CMV]

I think both my proteges' husbands were ready to strangle me. One, I was supposed to convince her she wasn't ready for chickens. She was totally ready. She proved herself ready. She passed my tests with flying colors. Her husband (an old and dear friend for the past 20 years) nearly throttled me on the spot when I told them both she was equipped to deal with any problem that came along, and that they should get chickens. He was hoping I was on his side... but he doesn't know about chicken addiction and chicken math. He has since learned...

Chickens really are great.

PS- Both families have since thanked me up and down for introducing them to such a wonderful hobby. Your friend's husband will do the same someday.