Unclear cause of death

[CHlCKEN]

My seven year old BR has appeared off for the past two months with the main symptom being lethargy. I examined her several times over the course of those two months and never found anything wrong. From that I assumed it must just be heat intolerance as backed up by the fact that she would perk up when brought inside. Today I came out to find her dead on the ground in front of the coop door. It seems like she had died within the hour as evidenced by her body temp and the absence of rigor. I found her with her mouth open and fluid/mucus running out. It appears that she may have aspirated although I don’t know if that was what ultimately killer her or if she was dying already. Her crop is mostly empty and the fluid remaining in her mouth does not smell sour or really have any scent at all. Fluid leaked also from her nostril and vent but it’s unclear how much of that is post-mortem. I last saw her alive around 7:00 pm last night. Nothing seemed to indicate a sudden need for concern at all. The only new behavior I saw from her this week was sitting inside the coop on the nest. I thought this was strange because she was definitely past POL and had been for some time now. I considered it was possible she was only trying to stay cool, though.

If she hadn’t aspirated the way she did I’d think this was likely a natural death attributable to her age. It’s still possible that it is but I’d like some second opinions.

Here are the photos of exactly how I found her

The spot after I moved her;

Throat and vent (it does not show up here but there was mucus her throat)

(Not sure why these photos are sideways, sorry)

 

[CHlCKEN]

Again it is probably just her age but I do still worry for the sake of my other birds’ health.

 

[Susan Skylark]

I’d guess the fluid is post mortem not the cause of death: muscles relax and stuff flows out (poop, urine, gi contents including crop).

 

[CHlCKEN]

I’d guess the fluid is post mortem not the cause of death: muscles relax and stuff flows out (poop, urine, gi contents including crop).

I'm thinking that too for everywhere except her mouth. It really looks to me like she aspirated- probably because she was dying already.

 

[FrostRanger]

If she just passed, refrigerate her (don't freeze) and contact your state poultry extension for a necropsy if you're curious, but if it was just her, it may not be anything that would affect the rest of your flock. So up to you if you want to go that route, you may get useful info, or maybe not.
If you suspect a respiratory infection though (not that I necessarily think it is) I'd at least consider it

In any case, i'm sorry for your loss

 

[CHlCKEN]

If she just passed, refrigerate her (don't freeze) and contact your state poultry extension for a necropsy if you're curious, but if it was just her, it may not be anything that would affect the rest of your flock. So up to you if you want to go that route, you may get useful info, or maybe not.
If you suspect a respiratory infection though (not that I necessarily think it is) I'd at least consider it

In any case, i'm sorry for your loss

I considered sending her off but I don't want to go through with that whole process when the rest of the flock seems fine. Her immune system would have been weakened already as she was an old bird and had just started to molt which usually takes a pretty big toll on her. Guess I'll just be monitoring everyone else for right now.

 

[casportpony]

Sorry for your loss. Are you up to trying a necropsy?

 

[FrostRanger]

I considered sending her off but I don't want to go through with that whole process when the rest of the flock seems fine. Her immune system would have been weakened already as she was an old bird and had just started to molt which usually takes a pretty big toll on her. Guess I'll just be monitoring everyone else for right now.

Totally fair, I don't suspect it's anything contagious if everyone else is fine. Monitoring is always a good idea though

 

[CHlCKEN]

Sorry for your loss. Are you up to trying a necropsy?

Well I considered it but since the rest of my flock is completely fine I didn't think it was worth spending the money. After finding out something else, I'm second guessing that decision. The reason I'd gone out there in the first place was because someone I live with told me there'd been an abnormal squabble that had gotten the attention of my dog. They didn't mention until after I'd already buried her in the woods that they'd also heard a repetitive banging sound right before. My bird was dead against the coop door and if she'd seized in that spot, she would have knocked into it several times and made that banging sound. That noise and a seizure would completely explain why my other birds had started to panic for no reason. It might also explain why she appeared to aspirate. Thoughts?

 

[FrostRanger]

Well I considered it but since the rest of my flock is completely fine I didn't think it was worth spending the money. After finding out something else, I'm second guessing that decision. The reason I'd gone out there in the first place was because someone I live with told me there'd been an abnormal squabble that had gotten the attention of my dog. They didn't mention until after I'd already buried her in the woods that they'd also heard a repetitive banging sound right before. My bird was dead against the coop door and if she'd seized in that spot, she would have knocked into it several times and made that banging sound. That noise and a seizure would completely explain why my other birds had started to panic for no reason. It might also explain why she appeared to aspirate. Thoughts?

Could be, that certainly could cause a panic. Of course there could also be something else going on. It certainly wouldn't hurt to keep an eye out for predator activity just in case