sudden death

[pfd]

I found my guinea hen dead today. She had started laying eggs about a month ago. She was fine yesterday. She was best friends with the turkey and both are in with the chickens. What could have caused her death? It was not a predator. They are fenced in.

 

[taprock]

I'm sorry about your girl. How old was she? We had our male drop over dead right in front of us this spring. He was fine out foraging in the yard and in a matter of minutes was gone. I asked lots of questions and was told that many times if guineas have genetic problems they will die before they are a year old. It is so frustrating not knowing what was wrong.

 

[pfd]

Maybe genetics are the reason. The girl was 6 months old

 

[PeepsCA]

I agree, could have been a mystery genetic issue. And sometimes they can die just from spooking at night in the coop and hitting their head (does not take much), leaving no visible wound. Other possibilities are heart attack or blood clot... you just never know. It's common to lose a bird unexpectedly, for no obvious reason. Sometimes necropsies done on the birds by avian vets don't even clue us in as to their cause of death.

So sorry for your loss

I'd watch/check everybody else in your flock for a while for anything out of the ordinary...

 

[pfd]

Thank you. I will check them. I just hope Key (the turkey) will not take it too hard.