Tragedy - Sickness and Loss

[GoatDragonFarms]

Its a sad day on our little farm.

Our Wyandotte Hen passed away during the night. I found her sitting in the coop fluffed up and legatharic. I moved her to the "hospital in" and began working on her.
At first Virginia and I thought she was hypothermic and treated her for that. Doing researching we found that many of the observable symptoms for hypothermia and egg binding were the same. We placed her in water and checked her vent and felt her abdomen and crop and nothing felt out of the ordinary.
We did all we knew we could do and went to bed.
This morning she was gone - apparently passed in her sleep.

No idea what caused her to go so suddenly. None of the other birds are showing signs of problems.

 

[N F C]

I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[theoldchick]

Truly a sad situation when you don't understand why. Sorry for your loss.

 

[staceyj]

So very sorry for your loss.
It has indeed been a difficult winter for the animals it seems.

If you're up to it, an at home necropsy might shed some light on her passing. There are good threads here on BYC, and plenty of you tube videos about it as well.

A local vet -even one who doesn't treat chickens- might be willing to do a simple one for you.

I'm also in NC. here's a link with info for you, to NC Dept of ag. Veterinary research etc. -poultry section is right on first page.

http://www.ncagr.gov/vet/

(If any of these might be of interest to you keep her body under refrigeration until then, since Monday is a Federal Holiday.)

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

It's so hard when we nuture our birds, and do everything we can to save their lives, and then they suddenly pass away.

So sorry your hen didn't make it...

God Bless

 

[staceyj]

Trying again with that link.

http://www.ncagr.gov/vet/

 

[GoatDragonFarms]

Thank you so much. It is hard because we raised this bird and her two brothers from eggs. And I lost my grandmother, who I helped cared for since I've been an adult, on Friday. Not a good weekend.

I'm hoping this is an isolated incident so we'll be keeping an eye on the other birds. If anything else happens a necropsy will happen. Right now, I think we're going to let her rest easy.

All said, I just don't get it. I checked her body for mites or lice and nothing. Her droppings were a little loose but no abnormal color or smells. No difficulty breathing. It's almost like she just gave up, went to sleep and didn't wake up.

Not a good weekend, but I do appreciate the feedback from all of you.

 

[staceyj]

Thank you so much. It is hard because we raised this bird and her two brothers from eggs. And I lost my grandmother, who I helped cared for since I've been an adult, on Friday. Not a good weekend.

I'm hoping this is an isolated incident so we'll be keeping an eye on the other birds. If anything else happens a necropsy will happen. Right now, I think we're going to let her rest easy.

All said, I just don't get it. I checked her body for mites or lice and nothing. Her droppings were a little loose but no abnormal color or smells. No difficulty breathing. It's almost like she just gave up, went to sleep and didn't wake up.

Not a good weekend, but I do appreciate the feedback from all of you.

My sympathies for the loss of your grandmother.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry for your loss


It's upsetting when you lose one suddenly and don't know why. I agree with you, let her rest in peace. I have a spot where I lay my lovelies to rest and mark each one.

If you happen to lose another in a short period of time, investigating further will hopefully give you some answers. Since you are in WNC the Fletcher lab would most likely be closest to you (it's right down the road from the WNC Ag Center). I have yet to use them, but if I remember correctly they will accept you bringing the body directly to them and of course you can ship as well. http://www.ncagr.gov/vet/ncvdl/

 

[GoatDragonFarms]

Thank you wyorp rock. I know exactly the place you're talking about and that's a great resource i didn't know was there.

Thank you for the well wishes from the rest of you. My grandmother lived long enough to see the birds settle in and was just as enamored as Virginia and I.