Rooster suddenly dies!

[Meow618]

My Rhode Island Red rooster was roosting tonight and jumped or fell off roost and died! He had been limping for about a week or so, and 2 days ago he was laying on the ground and looked like he was gasping for air with his eyes closed. I went over to him and got him up and he acted fine. My husband had just came home and heard a huge thud in the chicken coop. The rooster (Rocky) was flopping on the floor. My husband opened the door and picked him up and he died! Is this normal to have a rooster do this or did he have an illness that caused him to fall or jump off the roost? Do I need to worry about his brother (Bullwinkle) and my six hens?

 

[Suzie]

It does sound from your description that he has been ill...limping for one week could be a sign of bumblefoot...an infection that causes eventual death if left untreated.

He may have been suffering from a leg/foot injury and lost his balance and fell awkwardly. There are so many reasons as to what may have caused his death.

I would check his foot for signs of bumblefoot, if no indication of injury I would suggest you have a necropsy done on him.

 

[Meow618]

What about his odd breathing? Him and his brother would go through bouts of fighting. I did see him get flipped over backwards by his brother.

 

[Suzie]

He may have been winded if his Brother had flipped him over while they were fighting.

 

[Meow618]

Thanks Suzie! I will have an necropsy done.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Any results from the necropsy?

 

[chocolate chips]

It does sound from your description that he has been ill...limping for one week could be a sign of bumblefoot...an infection that causes eventual death if left untreated.

He may have been suffering from a leg/foot injury and lost his balance and fell awkwardly. There are so many reasons as to what may have caused his death.

I would check his foot for signs of bumblefoot, if no indication of injury I would suggest you have a necropsy done on him.

 

[chocolate chips]

My rooster passed away but there were no signs of him being sick or anything and there chicken coop is clean. He did have breathing problems a week ago but he was fine and recovered and was acting normal the next day. Could it be my fault or is it just old age? I feel like I did something wrong but I also thought it may have been from old age. He had been with us since 2013

 

[21hens-incharge]

My rooster passed away but there were no signs of him being sick or anything and there chicken coop is clean. He did have breathing problems a week ago but he was fine and recovered and was acting normal the next day. Could it be my fault or is it just old age? I feel like I did something wrong but I also thought it may have been from old age. He had been with us since 2013

Since this thread has been inactive since 2014 I don't think you will get a response here.

It sounds like it was likely his age since he was at least 11 years old.

I am sorry you lost your rooster.