Sudden Chicken Death - Why???

[lacychappell4]

Thank you. No - she was at the top and I haven’t noticed any bullying in my flock. I think it’s worse not knowing - it’s just so weird.

Yes it's hard not knowing . She was obviously loved very much and had a wonderful life. With great love comes great grief and grief is just love with no where to go

 

[MaggieRose2001]

Do you still have her body? You might be able to get a necropsy done.

My buried her and made her a cross immediately. It was her way of grieving. I was really proud of her digging through the frozen ground - it took her a while but she said it really helped.

 

[Dela _gurl]

Well, This isn't an emergency - my chicken just died. But I would like to understand why and what happened and what I could have done.

7:30 - 9:30 - I let all the chickens out to free range while I clean their coop, refresh feed and water and so forth. Dottie is out scratching and pecking with the rest of the chickens having a great time. After a couple hours I put them all back in the run.

2:30 - I go out to give them a treat of mealworms - Dottie is scratching and pecking and enjoying her afternoon treat.

4:30 - I go out to check on everyone and Dottie is laying in the middle of the run not moving. Her waddles are pink. I pick her up and she is as limp as can be but still alive. I run inside with her to inspect and see what needs to be done - she dies within 5 minutes. It was like she was just hanging on until I could hold her.

WHY??? No signs of illness. No respiratory issues. She wasn't egg bound.

Dottie was my most adventurist chicken. When she was a baby she flew out of the brooder and into my microwave when I had accidentally left the door open. This past winter she had injured her leg. I brought her inside to try to let it heal - but she still limped slightly. It was when she was inside that we formed a deep bond. She was our absolute favorite chicken. She would fly up on our outstretched arm. She would nap with us on our couch.

Anyway - I digress. My question is - could she have flown into something and injured herself - could that cause a death within 2 hrs? There isn't a whole lot in the run. There is a ladder leading up to a perch as well as a ladder on the wall used as a perch. That's it.

Any thoughts would greatly be appreciated. I am so stumped and heartbroken! Thank you.

Sorry for your loss!! We've had this happen before. Silver laced Wyandotte? She's adorable. Could be anything and I'm so sorry