Possible sickness, dead chicken

[timelord1020]

This morning I woke up to one less chicken on my farm. This chicken was only 2 years old and she was acting kind of off a few weeks ago she would barely move and not be with the other chickens she would also fall asleep in the day. When I picked her up about 2 weeks ago I noticed that her breast bone was very prominent but her abdomen wasn't hard so I don't think she was egg bound. Last week she was acting normal and eating like normal. When I went to the coop this morning I saw her laying on top of the nesting boxes where she slept with her head hanging over the edge and stuff coming out of her beak. I don't know how she died but does this sound like an illness I should be worried about for the other chickens? I have a picture of her head and the stuff coming out of her beak if you would like to see it but I won't post it unless asked.

 

[CreativePullet]

@casportpony @Eggcessive @staceyj
@Wyorp Rock

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. How was her crop—full, hard, puffy? When chickens die, they tend to lose their crop contents, but she may have had a crop problem. Reproductive disorders, cancer, and crop problems are common causes of death. To get a diagnosis, it is best to get a necropsy done by your state vet. If you are up to it, you can try to do one yourself which might give you some clues if you open the abdomen, look at her organs, crop, and gizzard contents. Take pictures if you can since sometimes we can look at them and give opinions. If you get a necropsy, keep the body cool in a refrigerator wrapped in a garbage bag. Here is a link where to contact your state vet for a necropsy:
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[littlepip]

pictures would be helpful.

 

[timelord1020]

I didn't look at her crop and we already buried her I only have the one picture but I zoom in on her beak.

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks like her crop may have been impacted from the thick crop contents that are in her beak. Do your chickens have granite grit available to take when they need it? Crop impaction or a slow crop can be a problem in of itself, but crop probleems may be common with reproductive disorders, such as internal laying. After 2 years, those can be more likely.

 

[timelord1020]

She is probably almost 3 we were told she was a year when we got her. The have oyster shells and grit from the ground