Sudden death - few symptoms

[Swiss-hens]

Our much loved Cockerel died last night. He was cold and stiff this morning when we went to let the hens out. The only symptom we had spotted for a few days was that his comb was pale and flopped over. Otherwise he seemed to be behaving normally. Our very small flock - 2 hens and the deceased cockerel - have a small wooden hen house and except overnight have the complete run of a large garden. They were a close family unit and the 2 hens now are quite lost without their leader.. Any ideas on what might have caused the problem? We did see some small dark insects running around the base of his favourite roost. They are so minute I couldn't hope to see what they were. I've recently treated the hen house for Red Mite and would have been surprised if mites had caused such a dramatic and sudden death.

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm sorry to hear that.

Mites and worms can weaken a bird to other problems and diseases. Keep a close eye on the hens, treat them for warms, clean out the coop, and provide a dust bath for them.

I hope they stay healthy. Best of luck!

 

[Akrnaf2]

How old was he? Did he was over weighted?
It could be Fatty liver syndrome that cause sudden date.
Read this link:
http://www.raising-happy-chickens.com/sudden-chicken-death.html

 

[Akrnaf2]

Do you live in the aerie where the bird flu had stricken?

 

[Swiss-hens]

No avian flu in Switzerland

 

[Akrnaf2]

Good for you!