Not sure, but looks like her last egg killed her

[Agoodpaster16]

One of my French copper marans died I found her this morning, one egg right next to her, and then a second one that appears to have gotten stuck… bloody around the opening with the egg just inside… it doesn’t look broken or anything… she lays good sized eggs, could that actually be what happened? Death by the inability to pass the egg?

Also… would she be worth a meal? I plan on attempting to butcher her either way, I need the hands on experience….

Any info or advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated!!

 

[FunClucks]

One of my French copper marans died I found her this morning, one egg right next to her, and then a second one that appears to have gotten stuck… bloody around the opening with the egg just inside… it doesn’t look broken or anything… she lays good sized eggs, could that actually be what happened? Death by the inability to pass the egg?

Also… would she be worth a meal? I plan on attempting to butcher her either way, I need the hands on experience….

Any info or advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated!!

I'm so sorry you lost your hen.

Butchering for experience is a good choice - check out the Meat Bird thread and Meat Birds Sticky for lots of helpful info.

I would agree, if there was no other damage, it sounds like she had a heart attack when laying her egg. How old was she? Sometimes this happens to young layers, I think its called sudden death syndrome. Likely that the first egg wasn't hers - chickens lay where their flockmates lay.

I would not eat her cause you don't know when she died. I think the recommended time for the entire butchering process is less than an hour (from dispatching to chilling in fridge or icewater below 40F) so that you don't have any bacteria issues. As soon as you dispatch the bird, you'd get the guts out as soon after as practically possible (would need to skin or scald and pluck first), and then get the carcass cooled down below 40F. I'm new to butchering myself, but that's what I've read/heard. There are some books you can read on the subject, also check out what hunters do with wild game birds, but be mindful if they eat the entire carcass or just the breast meat.

 

[Agoodpaster16]

Thanks a bunch!!