Suddenly strange-acting, cold, limp hen - please help!

[Viergacht]

Hey folks,
So very sorry to report Raquel just had a sort of seizure and passed away.
Thanks for your help tonight.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Oh geez, just that fast. Im sorry for your loss.

 

[Eggcessive]

Oh no, I am so sorry that you lost her. Chickens are very food at hiding an illness. If she had an empty crop at the end of the day, she wasn’t eating. Can you wrap her body in a clean garbage bag, and keep it cool overnight (do not freeze,) and call your state vet in the morning to get a necropsy?

 

[Eggcessive]

Where are you located? Just asking in case you are near an area of the country where there may be any Newcastles disease. Here is a list of state vets that can perform necropsies and look for a cause of death:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[Viergacht]

I'll try and contact them tomorrow. Do you know how much they charge? I don't make much money and recently had a very large surgical bill of my own.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

Rain can sometimes reconstitute insecticide that you sprayed days before, causing it to contaminate a puddle a chicken might drink from. It sickens and kills in just a few hours.

I've had this happen, ashamed to admit.

If it is a toxin..you need to get charcoal in her fast. We lost two ducks in three hrs last week because they drank oily water and some insulation from an old sink my husband pulled from one of our rentals..point is..it took three for them to die. Took eight to figure out why...looks for safe things to try that won’t hurt her...try B12 Try probiotics...if you think you can and want try charcoal..only thing it does is flush toxins..no side effects...we humans use it too..tons..call a pharm to check..but be proactive and good luck

 

[Duckfarmer1]

Where are you located? Just asking in case you are near an area of the country where there may be any Newcastles disease. Here is a list of state vets that can perform necropsies and look for a cause of death:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

Let’s hope it doesn’t go that way...I say. Stick with heat, dark, food, water, maybe a mirror so doesn’t feel alone. Keep checking on her, stay right with her if you can, that way you can notice any difference.write everything down...drinks, eats, poops, sleeps...times for all..to take to dr..better to be more prepared

 

[azygous]

Activated charcoal can be found in the vitamin section of the store. It belongs in every chicken first aid kit. It will absorb toxins in the system if administered quickly after exposure. I would also give some milk of magnesia along with it for good measure as it also neutralizes poison. It's in my first aid kit, too.

A petroleum distillates is what I suspect killed this chicken. It may take a few days, but the source must be identified or you may lose more chickens.

Years ago, I was losing young chicks and older chickens were going lame. I finally identified my log splitter was leaking hydraulic fluid onto the ground, contaminating the soil and when chickens picked up grit, they were being poisoned. Years before that, I lost a few to insecticides before I smartened up some.

It's so very sad when our chickens die for our sins.

 

[Eggcessive]

What state are you in? Each state has a different cost. In some states it can cost as little as $20 for a necropsy on a backyard chicken (be sure and mention that.) Depending on how far away you are, the body can be taken or shipped. Many state vets will send a shipping label if needed, adding that to the cost. Here is Ohio, it is $23 if I deliver the body. Ask questions when you contact them early tomorrow.

 

[Viergacht]

What state are you in? Each state has a different cost. In some states it can cost as little as $20 for a necropsy on a backyard chicken (be sure and mention that.) Depending on how far away you are, the body can be taken or shipped. Many state vets will send a shipping label if needed, adding that to the cost. Here is Ohio, it is $23 if I deliver the body. Ask questions when you contact them early tomorrow.

I'm in Frederick, Md. It looks like there's a place nearby.
I'm a little nervous because a friend in CA recently said they were going door to door and euthenizing any pet birds for Newcastle's. I don't want to lose the rest of my girls.