Sudden Chicken Death Syndrome?

[Yowza Wowza]

I would DIE if my Rhode Island Red passed away. She is my everything! I raised her from a chick and she's all grown up, going on 3 years. They grow up so fast! She's my little baby.!

 

[Yowza Wowza]

Sorry if im being rude to everyone wanting to share the passing of their chicken(s) passing away with my messages of complete randomness. I'm just eager to text to new people and share my chickens with them since I love them so much. I sorry for everyone that has lost a chicken(s) and I understand you! Best wishes to anyone with sick chickens. <3

 

[rockycreeker]

I want to say thankyou to everyone who posts about their chickens suddenly dying. It helps to read about other people suddenly loosing their pet chickens. I don't think I would have gotten any chickens if I had been aware of this sudden death syndrome. Its too late now. I love my 3 Silkies & my Rhode island red & my barred plymouth rock way too much to give them up now! And I've only been doing this since July 19!

 

[ms Chick Chick]

I have 4 Amerucana hens that are about 7 months old, all well cared for, healthy, and consistently laying beautiful light blue eggs. Today, Lucy, the leader of my little flock laid a normal egg around 12:30 in the afternoon. At about 3:30, I looked outside and she was lying on her side dead. There were no marks on her and she had been acting completely normal up to that point. I am just in shock! I love my hens and feed them well. It is my first time raising hens, but I have wanted them for years. I raised them from babies and it is heartbreaking to lose one for no apparent reason like that. RIP Lucy, I will miss you, I hope you had a happy life even though it was a short one.

 

[Yowza Wowza]

I know how you feel! Sorry for the loss of your Lucy, bet she was a loving hen.

 

[jillieg]

I just went out to give my chickens a treat...1 Delaware, 2 Amerucanas,6 Brahmas... and Miss Delaware didn't come running... looked in at the feeder and she wasn't moving...yep, very dead. My chickens were given to us to start our flock from a friend who was rotating old for new... all of them are several years old... RIP Miss Delaware...we'll be getting new pullets in the spring...

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. I lose one in my larger flock occasionally, but it is especially hard when you have a small flock.

 

[Skyfeathers]

Today I lost my second Barred Rock hen in less than a week. The first one, Maddie, had been sick off and on, had spent more time inside with me than outside in the last couple months, but had seemed to be improving. Then last Wednesday I found her in her kennel laying on her side. I held her till she died, about 45 minutes later. She had been queen of the flock all her life. Then this afternoon I found Marjorie dead in their run, she was still a bit warm. She had finished molting, and was looking beautiful. Her comb was red, she was active, eating, and had taken over as queen when Maddie had been sick and out of the flock for so long. I have no idea why she died. They were about 3 1/2 years old. Now I'm worried the other four of my original hens will die, too, I have one more Barred Rock and three Easter Eggers. I hope to take her to a local vet for a necropsy in the morning so I can find out what's happening! It has been comforting to read these posts and know I'm not alone. I'm so sad......

 

[LeilaBlue1002]

So sorry to hear this. The sudden death of a bird is so hard to take. I am still thinking about the one I lost. Should I have seen some signs earlier? We have to trust that we are doing the best that we can and giving them wonderful lives. Hugs to you;O))

 

[Skyfeathers]

Thank you, LeilaBlue1002, sorry to hear about your loss, too. They are all pets to me, the eggs are a side benefit. I love listening to them and watching them, it is somehow relaxing. They have such distinct personalities. You are right, we just have to do the best we can to keep them happy and healthy. I'm grateful for BYC and other sites that give such good information on how to do that!