Sudden Death

[fatimastic]

Astro was nearly 2 years old.
She hadn't been laying eggs for many months. She was internally laying. She had near death experiences back in October 2021 and March 2022. She was such a strong girl who came back alive twice
Just this morning I thought to myself “Wow, Astro looks to healthy and active!!!” but I was proven wrong when she died suddenly. I blame myself because when I let them out to free range today, I wanted to spend sometime with my hens alone, without Kuku. Kuku never lets me play with them as he attacks me whenever I'm near them.
But Astro didn't come out. She never comes out of the coop unless Kuku comes with her. I was making a video of the 4 ladies outside when I heard some screaming from the coop. But Astro always screamed when Kuku mated with her. Her body wasnt strong enough to handle the pressure, this is just my guess, and she dies of a heartattack.
10 minutes after I heard the commotion, I went down to open them up, only to find Astro laying down, dead. She was still warm...

Is it possible, this is just my theory, that she died from heart attack? Kuku mated with her 6-7 times under a span of 5-10minutes. She already had a weak body and whenever he mated with her before, she would stay on the ground, almost traumatized, for 1-2 minutes.
What do you guys think happened to her suddenly?

 

[azygous]

Your guess is probably as close to a reason as any for her sudden death. Only a necropsy in a lab will reveal the cause of death. Astro likely was suffering from a chronic reproductive infection and was weak and vulnerable. It's very sad. I'm sorry.

 

[fatimastic]

Your guess is probably as close to a reason as any for her sudden death. Only a necropsy in a lab will reveal the cause of death. Astro likely was suffering from a chronic reproductive infection and was weak and vulnerable. It's very sad. I'm sorry.

May I know if heart attacks are painful for them or not?

 

[Callender Girl]

I don't know that I would have a better idea of what happened to Astro than you did. But I am very sorry for your loss.

Don't beat yourself up too much. You had no way of knowing what as going to happen. And, as you said, she pulled through twice before. You clearly cared deeply about her and wouldn't have left her or put her in danger.

I hope she went quickly and not painfully.

 

[fatimastic]

I don't know that I would have a better idea of what happened to Astro than you did. But I am very sorry for your loss.

Don't beat yourself up too much. You had no way of knowing what as going to happen. And, as you said, she pulled through twice before. You clearly cared deeply about her and wouldn't have left her or put her in danger.

I hope she went quickly and not painfully.

That's what I hope for the most... that she went away quickly. I think her heart stopped working when the rooster mated with her again and again. In the video, she was fine after the first 2 rounds, but the 3rd and the 4th made her stay down for a little while. Then she ran into the side of the coop which was not visible in the camera. I could see the rooster coming and going 3-4 times from the place. She might have died between these rounds...
Do you happen to know if heart attacks are painful for hens? She was already internally laying and I had planned to cull her the next time she became seriously ill. Because I feel it was selfish of me to keep her alive, in pain.

 

[Callender Girl]

I don't know if she felt pain. But, many years ago, I read a book by Sherwin B. Nuland, called "How We Die; Reflections on Life's Final Chapter." He suggested that extra endorphins kick in for both people and animals that seem to protect against emotional and physical dangers of pain and terror, especially before death.

If he is correct, she may have passed quite peacefully. I hope so, for both of you. It's hard to let go, sometimes even when we know it's best. Is it selfish? Or, is it love? Or both?

I hope you find some peace.

 

[Buckingham Palace]

I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sure you loved and cared for her.

 

[fatimastic]

I don't know if she felt pain. But, many years ago, I read a book by Sherwin B. Nuland, called "How We Die; Reflections on Life's Final Chapter." He suggested that extra endorphins kick in for both people and animals that seem to protect against emotional and physical dangers of pain and terror, especially before death.

If he is correct, she may have passed quite peacefully. I hope so, for both of you. It's hard to let go, sometimes even when we know it's best. Is it selfish? Or, is it love? Or both?

I hope you find some peace.

I've also heard something along the similar lines that their body becomes numb to all the pain before they die...
Your words are really easing my sorrow... thank you

 

[Dragon Slayer Trinket]

My goodness. I'm so sorry for your loss. She may have just been ready to go, and the roo might have done her a favor. No matter what, it's terrible. Treat yourself to some ice cream.

 

[fatimastic]

I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sure you loved and cared for her.

I did care for her but sometimes I think I could have done more...
Maybe it was better for her to die soon since internal laying maybe really agonzing for them.
I hope she doesn't hate me much.