Roo died out of no where...HELP!

[LuisaD]

Around 4 PM today I took a nap and when I walked out at 6 my rooster was completely pale in the comb and cold dead... I had moved him earlier this morning into the coop where I house my "rehab" hens, those whom don't get along with everybody becuase they're not aggressive enough to stand their ground with his favorite 4 aggressive hens but when I came out he was dead cold.. Should I be concerned it's viral and I will lose more... or do we think it was a heat related icident.. the coop is completely covered and they had plenty of water... I do however live in Arizona and it's pretty hot... ANY help is appreciated... he was my baby and I'm devastated... and hoping not to lose anymore!! he did leave me with an adorable baby and more to come in the next week by my broody hens!! He was a huge rooster, 3 times the size of any of my hens... could it be his size that killed him...? He was only 6 months old... There was no signs of foul play... no blood or anything..

 

[Judy]

I'm sorry.

The heat is a good possibility. With the pale comb, he could have had something like a heart attack, but again that could be heat related.

Most of the viral diseases are respiratory and will show symptoms like runny nose, cough, discharge from eyes, etc. If the rest don't have symptoms, I wouldn't worry about a disease. I don't know about the size -- but I do wonder, if his heart was no larger than a smaller roo's heart, if the heat might have been too much of a strain for it.

 

[speckledhen]

Roosters are very prone to just dropping dead suddenly of heart attacks, much more so than hens. They have a very high stress life, always on alert, so it really makes perfect sense. I'm sorry for your loss.

I've lost a few great roosters. Right now, I have a very old for his size Blue Orp rooster (going on 6 years old, in my avatar) who I fear I will lose shortly and there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth around here when he goes, he's so much a part of our lives, so I understand your pain.

 

[LuisaD]

I didn't know that..I grew up with hens but never had a rooster because my neighbors wouldn't allow it... But I never lost one... so it was completely shocking to walk out there and see him so lifeless. Poor guy he was so beautiful... he's the one in my icon. But thanks for your input... should I not be worried to put my hens back in the enclosure?