Sudden death

[Honora]

Just found a hen this morning who suddenly dropped dead with no sign of illness. She was just over a year old and seemed totally healthy. The only thing I have noticed in the flock lately is some loose stools, but my husband has been feeding them a lot of table scraps so I thought maybe it was just something they ate. I have been giving them yogurt and ACV in the water for the last week and it seemed to have helped. Now I am thinking maybe I should worm them...They have never been wormed.

I know I should send it in for a necropsy but unfortunately I have too much other stuff going on & won't be able to. Any advice?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

A lot of things can cause sudden death. Chickens are very good at hiding illness.
I understand being busy but just be ready to send one in should you lose another. I believe in CA, necropsy is free and if you call them and ask for their FedEx number you can overnight it that way.
You may want to have a fecal sample read for worms. I'm probably in the minority but I usually don't worm chickens. I think I've only wormed about 4 in my lifetime.
I had a rooster drop dead within minutes of dancing around for the hens. I sent him in and it turns out he had a heart attack.
Other possibilities:
Lymphoid leucosis
Botulism
Gout
Marek's
Campylobacteriosis
Colibacillosis

Less common possibilities are:
Aflatoxicosis
Buecomb
Fatty Liver
Streptococcosis
Malaria
Cholera
Erysipelas
Influenza
Listeriosis
Choking
Pesticide poisoning
Anaphylactic shock
Newcastle

As you can see, trying to guess why a bird suddenly drops dead is virtually impossible.

 

[Honora]

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like it will just be a mystery, but if another dies I definitely will send it in. Crossing my fingers that it is not something contagious.