I had a Cuckoo Maran pullet (7 months old) suddenly die last night (Sunday). I didn't see what happened, but found her in the coop at night dead on the ground. She was already stiff, but you could still move her neck. Does this mean her neck was broken? She didn't have any signs of being injured, sick, or infested with bugs. Although she was acting odd Friday night. She wasn't responding to touch or when I waved my hand in front of her face. She didn't seem to have balance issues but she didn't move a lot so I can't say for sure. I've had chickens look like they are spacing out but when you go to pet them, they have some reaction. The fact she didn't respond was weird and I made a note to keep an eye on her. I didn't notice anything odd on Saturday or Sunday. The fact she was dead Sunday night was surprising. The rest of my chickens are acting normal. I love my chickens and just want to give them the best life possible. To lose one is always upsetting. I just would like some opinions on what could have happened. Thank you in advance!
I have had this happen before...more than once. What happened with mine was that animals such as raccoons or bright lights would scare them at night, sending them into shock. This will often cause them to have a seizure. Sometimes they will make it, sometimes they won't. I would check and see if there are any predators that could be scaring them.
Welcome To BYC I'm sorry for your loss. Unfortunately there is no way to know what caused her death without testing/necropsy. If you still have her body you can refrigerate it, then send or take it to your state lab. Necropsy and State labs http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm http://www.usaha.org/Portals/6/StateAnimalHealthOfficials.pdf https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf Independent lab testing: http://www.zoologix.com/
Thank you everyone for your replies! The pullet is already buried so I won't be able to send her out for a necropsy. I thought it would be too expensive but looking at the fees, they aren't bad so I'll defiantly keep it in mind for the future. I've been reading more on chicken seizures and chickens going into shock. From the symptoms it sounds like my pullet may have gone into shock. I don't know if she had any seizures but it's possible.
