Sudden Death

[MrsMacChicken]

Can feeding an adult chicken too much protein cause sudden death?

 

[azygous]

No. Over-feeding protein can cause long term issues with the kidneys, but that takes years.

How old was this chicken? Often when a chicken dies "suddenly and mysteriously" it's from an avian virus such as Marek's or leucosis.

On the other hand, unless you're paying close attention to behavior of individuals in your flock, you might not notice symptoms that indicate a chicken is sick, making it appear as though the death was sudden.

Even a very old chicken will show symptoms of death approaching from consequences of old age.

 

[chickens really]

Fatty liver disease or heart problems can cause sudden death too..16% protein is best for non hybrid layers.

 

[MomJones]

No there's something else going on. I had a sudden death in one of my pullets and never did figure out what happened. The rest of her mates were fine, etc.

 

[chickens really]

Signs of heart failure is the Bird on its back dead..

 

[ValerieJ]

Fatty liver disease or heart problems can cause sudden death too..16% protein is best for non hybrid layers.

I'm not looking at the package atm, but that sounds like the amount of protein that is already in their regular food. So, would you recommend not giving them meal worms as a treat?

 

[chickens really]

I'm not looking at the package atm, but that sounds like the amount of protein that is already in their regular food. So, would you recommend not giving them meal worms as a treat?

Depends on how much and how often they get treats?

 

[MomJones]

My 23 birds are on about 20% protein. Never had a problem.

 

[Ra_]

Birds can die suddenly from heat stroke.
My birds get a combination of free range, 20% crumble, sunflower seeds and hard boiled eggs. They also get sunflower fodder and comfrey.
They love the sunflower seeds and will favor them over the crumble.

 

[azygous]

One sure-fire way to find out why a chicken died is to get a necropsy on the body from an agricultural lab. Phone your university extension office or local US Agricultural office.