Rooster heart attack

[sog1997]

Still a newbie with chickens and such. I believe one of my Roosters just had a heart attack. Just sitting dusting himself...suddenly the strangest noise I have heard coming from a chicken, I looked because it was so odd. My Roo was on his back a few feet from where he was 2 minutes before. He was gone, no life whatsoever. No kicking or fussing. Actually having dealt with illnesses that eventually ended with death, this one was blessedly fast. I almost wish they all went this way. My question is: is it common for chickens to have heart issues? I'd never even thought about it until 1/2 hour ago. He was a big boy, Black Cochin. He was the low man of my 3 Roosters and mostly kept near the coop with the hens that didn't stray too far while free ranging. I actually thought he was my dominant roo because he was very far from his normal stomping ground. Are particular breeds more susceptible to heart attacks? I am really shocked. He was literally gone within a minute. He will be missed

 

[CMV]

Well, you are seeing your first case of "flip" or "flipover". It is common enough to have a special name for it, so as you probably guessed, it is pretty common. It is, as you suspected, heart related. It is the common COD for roos and CXs. No particular breed, aside from the CXs (and they are just a walking disaster as a breed), is more prone to it than others.

I am sorry for your loss.

 

[sog1997]

Thank you. It is good to know/ have the information. I am also glad to have been here rather than just finding him deceased. Those days are agonizing trying to figure out what happened. I too am in NH. Thank you for your reply