Sudden dead hen

[Sophia Pincheon]

I have had this hen for 3 years she was a small leghorn and was my weak chicken. Every time the weather changed or a vacation would come up she would get sick. Nothing to serious. I could treet her at home with Electrolytes, probiotics, extra protein Calcium. In access to fresh clean water And food. I wold separate her from the other but still trying to keep it low stress. Her Symptoms where always the same, cream to yellow diarrhea weak, and not laying (Egg Bound?) Flash forward to two weeks ago, i was getung ready to leave for a vacationand she started getung symptoms, so i treated her and my dad wached over her when i was gone.He said she looked better, and when I got home she did look better. Then one week later I found her in her coop laying on her side with her legs out dead, there were no indicators of harm, not bleeding, no diarrhea. Was it a heart attack? Cancer? Please let know. RIP GoGo Booty-Licious.

 

[DobieLover]

Sorry for your loss. Leghorns are great birds.
It sounds like she had been struggling for a while and you kept her going with supportive care. She more than likely succumbed to a reproductive issue like cancer. These high production breeds just don't live that long and honestly, 3 years for a leghorn is pretty good.

 

[Saveria]

She looks so adorable in that picture.

The sudden deaths are often organ failure, but it sounds like she may have been struggling with something for a while. Whatever illness she had may have overwhelmed her system, or she may have had some of her organs not form properly even before she had hatched and struggled with that most of her life. Maybe you can find some solace that she went very peacefully.

It is sad, but DobieLover is right that 3 years is actually pretty good for a chicken, especially one that lays a lot of eggs. Quite a few of mine died before reaching 3 years. You just have to appreciate the time you do have with them, I guess, which is a great gift they give us in the form of a lesson.

 

[Sophia Pincheon]

Thank you for letting me know

Sorry for your loss. Leghorns are great birds.
It sounds like she had been struggling for a while and you kept her going with supportive care. She more than likely succumbed to a reproductive issue like cancer. These high production breeds just don't live that long and honestly, 3 years for a leghorn is pretty good.

 

[Sophia Pincheon]

She looks so adorable in that picture.

The sudden deaths are often organ failure, but it sounds like she may have been struggling with something for a while. Whatever illness she had may have overwhelmed her system, or she may have had some of her organs not form properly even before she had hatched and struggled with that most of her life. Maybe you can find some solace that she went very peacefully.

It is sad, but DobieLover is right that 3 years is actually pretty good for a chicken, especially one that lays a lot of eggs. Quite a few of mine died before reaching 3 years. You just have to appreciate the time you do have with them, I guess, which is a great gift they give us in the form of a lesson.

Thank you, and I do. I try to give them the best life.

 

[Sammster]

I'm so sorry. She was adorable

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. I agree with the posters above. When I lose a hen, I usually do a home necropsy to learn what might have killed them. If you do that, take pictures to post here of her major organs. You state vet can also do a more thorough necropsy with tissue samples and labs.

Her sweet picture with her comb cap would make a good contribution to next year’s calendar pictures if you submit it.

Here is a list of all state vets who may do necropsies:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[Sophia Pincheon]

Thank you so much