Piper died suddenly with no explanation

[showjumper_girl2002]

It breaks my heart that I have to right this. My pullet, Piper, who was about 6 weeks old died suddenly with no explanation as to why. Last night she was fine and snuggled on my lap as she usually does when I get home from work. This morning her and her sister, Nugget, both came out of the coop bright eyed and seemed their normal selves. However, when I got home from work today and went out to greet them I found Piper deaddoes anyone have any ideas what could have killed her so suddenly? It was not a predator as there were no marks on her. I'm worried for Nugget now since I don't know what happened. Also, Nugget is now all alone. I feel so bad for her. I will be getting her a new friend as soon as I can. So heart broken

 

[abraga]

Wow...that's tuff..i am so sorry. Did u look her over good for injuries, puncture wounds etc.? How does thier poop look? Any blood/really dark droppings? How us the heat during the day? Do they gave access to shade, food and water? Did she feel thin compared to the other chick? U may want to take some droppings by the vet to check for worms or cocci. Also..check for mites. What about poisins..have you sprayed or used pesticides lately, lots of varibles...

 

[Kiki]

Sorry for your loss.
Cocci is common at this age.

 

[showjumper_girl2002]

She was very healthy. I went back and looked where I found her and there were some mushrooms close to the fence. I'm wondering if maybe she ate some and they were poisonous?

 

[abraga]

She was very healthy. I went back and looked where I found her and there were some mushrooms close to the fence. I'm wondering if maybe she ate some and they were poisonous?

Poisonous mushrooms can kill chickens. Do they look like they were nibbled on? If so..uccan do a search online to identify the species of mushroom to see if it was a toxic variety

 

[neophyte17]

I had two cochins that were about a year old died on me this week. You are perfectly healthy eating and running around right before they died. No diarrhea no runny nose no signs. I took the second one within a few hours after dying to the vet for a necropsy. He called me later that night. Couldn't find anything wrong. Only thing he said is that there was a lot of blood in her liver so it could have been a fatty liver. The vet said not enough exercise but my chickens free-range from sun up to sundown. I feed them layer and flock raiser crumbles along with a variety of fruits and vegetables and bread and oats and nuts and fresh corn. So I don't know what happened to both my hens. I am heartbroken

 

[abraga]

Did he check for cocci and parasites?

 

[abraga]

Blood in the liver? I think mayb they ate something toxic. How close are your neighbors? Perhaps they are some rat poison..or other toxic stuff that was around. Chickens will also munch on rats and mice. If they came across a rodent that may have ingested toxins and ate it..could have affected them.

 

[showjumper_girl2002]

I had two cochins that were about a year old died on me this week. You are perfectly healthy eating and running around right before they died. No diarrhea no runny nose no signs. I took the second one within a few hours after dying to the vet for a necropsy. He called me later that night. Couldn't find anything wrong. Only thing he said is that there was a lot of blood in her liver so it could have been a fatty liver. The vet said not enough exercise but my chickens free-range from sun up to sundown. I feed them layer and flock raiser crumbles along with a variety of fruits and vegetables and bread and oats and nuts and fresh corn. So I don't know what happened to both my hens. I am heartbroken

 

[peeper89]

this sad