Sudden chicken death

[Littledarlingfarm]

Hello eveyone! I hope your day is all going well! I went out to the coop to check on my chickens and was shocked to find I had a dead chicken laying right by the door. There were no signs of illness that I noticed prior to this, I check on my girls multiple times a day. I love my chickens dearly. I’ve seen online some things I should check her for in case it’s something that may harm my other girls (goodness forbid). This is my first unexplained chicken death. Is there a reputable list of things to check anyone can recommend? Or give any suggestions. I would hate to lose another feather baby

 

[BDutch]

Hi Littledarling,

I had the same today. So sad. Yesterday my chicken (Cookie) seemed perfectly normal. And this morning I found her dead under the roosts.
For me this is new too. Last year a sister of her died after a short period of being sick (probably egg problem/infection) . But I noticed nothing with this lady (4 years old) . Her head or body were not harmed. Maybe a heart attack?

I sure hope it’s not the avian flu. The other chickens all seem all right. If another one is getting sick or drops dead tomorrow , I have to ask for a test for the Avian Flu.

 

[Weeg]

Thank you for your response! Heart attack or stroke makes sense as it was literally so sudden, and no signs and no other deaths or sick birds. Hopefully she went quickly when it happened. I didn’t end up sending her in as I figure it was her time to go and yes it’s $$$. If I have any other bird losses I’ll send in to check though!

For future reference, it only costs 35$ at most state labs to get a necropsy done. Or you can always do one yourself.
Glad you haven’t had anymore losses.

 

[Littledarlingfarm]

Hi Littledarling,

I had the same today. So sad. Yesterday my chicken (Cookie) seemed perfectly normal. And this morning I found her dead under the roosts.
For me this is new too. Last year a sister of her died after a short period of being sick (probably egg problem/infection) . But I noticed nothing with this lady (4 years old) . Her head or body were not harmed. Maybe a heart attack?

I sure hope it’s not the avian flu. The other chickens all seem all right. If another one is getting sick or drops dead tomorrow , I have to ask for a test for the Avian Flu.

I’m sorry for your loss! I hope neither of us have the avian flu in our flock, Im reading that it’ll spread very fast so we should be able to tell pretty quick if we lose more. Im also very pregnant so now Im a bit worried about being near my girls if that’s the case.

 

[Stipenvlerk]

I live in the Netherlands , in Europe. I added a link to a map of the situation here. The info is is Dutch.
https://www.levendehave.nl/nieuws/update-en-kaart-met-besmettingen-vogelgriep

Yes I live in the netherlands too!

 

[BDutch]

I’m sorry for your loss! I hope neither of us have the avian flu in our flock, Im reading that it’ll spread very fast so we should be able to tell pretty quick if we lose more. Im also very pregnant so now Im a bit worried about being near my girls if that’s the case.

Don’t worry about the bird flu for yourself or the baby. This is not contagious for humans.

 

[Littledarlingfarm]

I didn't read the whole thread, but if this is the bird flu, you'll start seeing more deaths. If you do, than call it in to the USDA immediately. Unfortunately, there is no cure and no anti-viral medication will be prescribed. Your will get tested, and if they test positive, they will have to be culled by USDA officials.
We'll just cross our fingers it isn't that, theres lots if diseases chickens can get.

Not sure if its been mentioned, but did you consider doing/sending her in for a necropsy? If you still have her body, this will be the very best way to determine what is going on.

Thank you for your response! Thankfully I don’t think it’s avian flu, I had no other losses and no sign of sickness and it hasn’t been in our area yet. I didn’t send her in unfortunately. I’m just going to take it as it was her time to go. if I have any other signs or another loss I’ll definitely have it checked out! Fingers crossed that isn’t the case!!

 

[picklestheduck]

One of the main signs of avian influenza is sudden death with no prior symptoms. I pray its not that but keep an eye out for other symptoms or deaths.

 

[picklestheduck]

You can send in the body to get it tested....I've heard of it before, but I'm sorry I haven't had to do it so I'm not sure.

 

[BDutch]

I've been paranoid about the bird flu for a while, it just seems so sudden. I hope it's not in the area I live.

Does you’re government have a site with information?
I know there have been infected birds near to where I live (just 3 km from my house). This was about 4 weeks ago. But since it got warmer with lots of sunshine (about 10 days ago) there are no new infested farms/larger hobby farms . They don’t count the ones under 50 chickens or other poultry.

Edited: spelling