Of what did my hen die?

[Lilyput]

I had a wonderful little white leghorn. She was about two 1/2 years old. Laid beautiful eggs almost daily even in Winter. Fed with flock raiser and free range. About three weeks ago, she became slightly lethargic and stopped laying. I checked her for egg binding and she was not. Her crop was fine. She never stopped eating and drinking. She became progressively weaker and more lethargic. I treated her for worms because she became very thin. She never stopped eating and drinking. Last three days I lifted her into the coop at night. (Couldn't bring myself to kill her and she never stopped eating and drinking; just got weak) She finally passed away last night. Do chickens get cancer?

 

[DobieLover]

I had a wonderful little white leghorn. She was about two 1/2 years old. Laid beautiful eggs almost daily even in Winter. Fed with flock raiser and free range. About three weeks ago, she became slightly lethargic and stopped laying. I checked her for egg binding and she was not. Her crop was fine. She never stopped eating and drinking. She became progressively weaker and more lethargic. I treated her for worms because she became very thin. She never stopped eating and drinking. Last three days I lifted her into the coop at night. (Couldn't bring myself to kill her and she never stopped eating and drinking; just got weak) She finally passed away last night. Do chickens get cancer?

Yes, they get cancer.
They get reproductive disorders. WLHs are a high production breed from a petite body. It takes its toll.
I'm very sorry for your loss. I have one on her way out as well.

 

[HawaiiCoyote]

I had a wonderful little white leghorn. She was about two 1/2 years old. Laid beautiful eggs almost daily even in Winter. Fed with flock raiser and free range. About three weeks ago, she became slightly lethargic and stopped laying. I checked her for egg binding and she was not. Her crop was fine. She never stopped eating and drinking. She became progressively weaker and more lethargic. I treated her for worms because she became very thin. She never stopped eating and drinking. Last three days I lifted her into the coop at night. (Couldn't bring myself to kill her and she never stopped eating and drinking; just got weak) She finally passed away last night. Do chickens get cancer?

Did she have any blood in her droppings or diarrhea? It may have been Coccidiosis or Marek's, though IMO the symptoms don't sound right for either of those.
None the less,
read on Coccidiosis here if you like:
https://www.freedomrangerhatchery.com/blog/coccidiosis-your-chickens-what-you-need-to-know/
Here is also some info on Marek's : https://www.backyardchickencoops.com.au/blogs/learning-centre/mareks-disease-in-chickens
I'm so sorry for your loss

 

[Lilyput]

Did she have any blood in her droppings or diarrhea? It may have been Coccidiosis or Marek's, though IMO the symptoms don't sound right for either of those.
None the less,
read on Coccidiosis here if you like:
https://www.freedomrangerhatchery.com/blog/coccidiosis-your-chickens-what-you-need-to-know/
Here is also some info on Marek's : https://www.backyardchickencoops.com.au/blogs/learning-centre/mareks-disease-in-chickens
I'm so sorry for your loss

No blood; no diarrhea. Just read something on gleet? Her butt was a little dirty. I have 12 other birds and one rooster. All seem healthy.

 

[Lilyput]

Yes, they get cancer.
They get reproductive disorders. WLHs are a high production breed from a petite body. It takes its toll.
I've very sorry for your loss. I have one on her way out as well.

Thanks for reply. She was a great little bird. I have the feeling you are right......very productive big white eggs and burned out!

 

[Eggcessive]

Most state vets can do a necropsy on a body to try and find a cause of death if you can keep the body cold, not frozen. There are several labs in NC. Sometimes we can do a home necropsy to look for unusual signs. Yes, cancer in chickens is a common problem over the age of two. Very sorry for your loss.

 

[Lilyput]

Most state vets can do a necropsy on a body to try and find a cause of death if you can keep the body cold, not frozen. There are several labs in NC. Sometimes we can do a home necropsy to look for unusual signs. Yes, cancer in chickens is a common problem over the age of two. Very sorry for your loss.

I've done home necrospsy before. Thanks.

 

[sewingkitty1170]

I'm so sorry for your loss...