Rooster suddenly died

[wrenhen]

My beloved rooster died today. He normally roosts on the lowest bar right by the coop door, and I found him today on the ground in that exact spot dead. I thought maybe he died defending the door but he was unharmed. He was just dead, with blood coming from his mouth. He was only 1 year and 4 months old. Just the day before he was entirely himself. Kicking me, crowing, running around, mating. It’s like he went to bed and died.
He was fed dumor all flock feed, with granite grit free choice if he wanted. I fed snacks like fruits, veggies, mealworms. The only snack he had the day before he died was our Halloween pumpkins.
From what I’m googling it just seems like something that can happen, just sudden death.
Idk if anyone else has experienced a suddenly dead chicken with blood in their mouth.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Have anyother roosters?

 

[wrenhen]

Have anyother roosters?

No, he was the only one.

 

[MysteryChicken]

No, he was the only one.

Is there anything he could've smacked his head on?

 

[Kanekoded]

My beloved rooster died today. He normally roosts on the lowest bar right by the coop door, and I found him today on the ground in that exact spot dead. I thought maybe he died defending the door but he was unharmed. He was just dead, with blood coming from his mouth. He was only 1 year and 4 months old. Just the day before he was entirely himself. Kicking me, crowing, running around, mating. It’s like he went to bed and died.
He was fed dumor all flock feed, with granite grit free choice if he wanted. I fed snacks like fruits, veggies, mealworms. The only snack he had the day before he died was our Halloween pumpkins.
From what I’m googling it just seems like something that can happen, just sudden death.
Idk if anyone else has experienced a suddenly dead chicken with blood in their mouth.

View attachment 3313930

So sorry for your loss.

 

[Riptide360]

It is not unusual for roosters to die of heart attacks. Sorry for your loss.

 

[wrenhen]

Is there anything he could've smacked his head on?

No not that i can tell

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I thought maybe he died defending the door but he was unharmed. He was just dead, with blood coming from his mouth. He was only 1 year and 4 months old.

I'm sorry to hear about your rooster

To find out more about the cause of death send the body to your state lab for testing. https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

The only time I've ever had a bird with blood inside the beak was because of some type of injury. Predator, fighting, etc.
Since he slept by the door, could a predator have attacked him?

 

[wrenhen]

I'm sorry to hear about your rooster

To find out more about the cause of death send the body to your state lab for testing. https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

The only time I've ever had a bird with blood inside the beak was because of some type of injury. Predator, fighting, etc.
Since he slept by the door, could a predator have attacked him?

That’s my only thought, he ALWAYS slept by the door, like right by the entrance. There’s no torn feathers or flesh, but maybe a predator of some kind kicked him or something? Idk what could’ve opened the door and just whacked him. I’m gonna speed up installing the auto/lock door though after this. The door right now is not a locked door, it can be opened by a really clever animal sliding it from the bottom.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hmm...I don't know.
I had first though the door was open, but if it was closed...that complicates things.

If you have a predator lurking about, setting up a game cam can give you that information.