Unexplained death

[Fluster Cluck Acres]

I’m really sorry for your loss, it’s incredible how we love these little animals, right? I hope you feel better soon. I lost one more or less the same way some time ago. and I don’t have any vet that does that around here so I guess I’ll never know.
Virtual hugs!

Thank you. They definitely hold a special place in our hearts.

 

[Tonyroo]

I think it's done at an agricultural lab in a state university. @Wyorp Rock , @Eggcessive ?

The body needs to stay refrigerated.

 

[Weeg]

Would I need to contact a vet for the necropsy? I don’t feel that I could do it myself. Would Avian influenza have symptoms of some sort? Her eyes & nostrils were clean.

High Path avian influenza could simply cause sudden death. You would have to find your state lab and send her in. @Eggcessive should be able to give more info on that.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a list of state vets:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I made two observations. #1- her vent appears to be a little prolapsed. She does not have any poopy butt, and I’ve never noticed this before. Is this an indication that the cause of death may have been egg/reproductive related? #2- her body is stiff and yet her head moves freely. Is this normal?

I'm sorry about your hen.

You can send the body to your state lab for necropsy or do an informal one yourself. If you choose to do it yourself, take some photos and we may be able to help you with what you see. If you do your own, then I would start by opening the abdomen and looking at the major organs and reproductive system.
While there is a great deal of rumblings and concern over AI, a bird would generally have some visible symptoms before succumbing to the disease.
There's SO many things that can go wrong with a chicken.