Rooster died of separation anxiety?

[Carianti]

I was forced to separate one of my Cochin roosters from my small flock because another Cochin rooster was beating him up and not allowing him to join the flock.

I placed Petey (the one getting beat up) in my front yard, fed, watered and treated him extremely well. He had shelter at night.

We are having a heat wave here--was 106 yesterday. I got home after being gone for a few hours and found my Petey dead. No trauma, injuries or signs of trauma.

He had shelter, water and showed no signs of illness.

Could the fact he had to be separated have caused him to die? He was only 2 1/2 yrs old.

Yes. I know now it was a terrible mistake to have two roosters. They got along famously for 1 1/2 years and then started fighting. Yes. I should have found him a new home.

Beyond that, does anyone have any ideas of why my Petey died? He was dearly loved..........

 

[Kevin565]

. Sorry for your loss

. I don't know what it was but I doubt it was from separation.

 

[TeamChaos]

I am very sorry for your loss. I have not heard or experienced a bird die of separation anxiety, although any stress coupled with heat that extreme could be a bad combination. If you don't mind me asking, where did you find Petey's body in relation to his food and water, shelter, and the other chickens? What position was he in?

 

[janinepeters]

Heat stroke, perhaps. Isolation might make him miserable, but won't kill him.

 

[theoldchick]

The fact that the two roosters got along for so long then suddenly started fighting might indicate Petey was no longer able to defend himself because of a health issue. The top rooster took advantage of this and started bullying him. I'm sure the heat added to Petey's problem and probably did him in. Don't feel guilty about this. You gave him food water and shelter, and took action when you saw a problem developing. Many folks keep multiple roosters as they can help protect the flock.

 

[Carianti]

You are so kind to respond in this way. We found Petey lying prone in the sun. His food, water and the bush he had been hiding under (shade) were within a couple of feet. He was in the front fenced yard and the small flock (10 hens, one rooster) were in the back, keeping cool under the deck.

The more I think about it, maybe the bush provided some shelter but the deck was really cool and a little damp and would have been better. But Benny, the other rooster, would not allow Petey under there (although it is a big deck).

I can't thank you all enough for taking the time to consider my question as well as send me such sweet and comforting responses. Good People abound! Thank you.