What happened?????

[chickencity]

I had 4 chickens left that survived the sudden and mysterious illness last week and they were all doing great running around and eating and drinking. We gave them some squash out of the garden today and then about 30 minutes later we noticed that one chicken was gasping for air and flopping around. falling on its back and jumping around. I tried to look down her throat but couldn't see anything. I was just about to end her suffering because she was jerking uncontrollable a looked painful when she just went stiff and died. I think she may have choked on the squash but because they have been sick I'm not to sure. It just happened all of a sudden out of the blue. everyone else seems fine. Anybody have any ideas on what happened? her croup was full of food i had feed them about 20 minutes before i gave them the squash.

 

[okiedrifter]

did they have plenty of water?

 

[tennesseeckn]

Were there any gnats around? I've heard that buffalo gnats will kill a chicken quickly by entering the nostrils and smothering them. That sounds like what might have been happening to your poor girl.

So sorry.

 

[chickencity]

i had filled their water about 20 minutes before. i didn't see any gnats but there could have been. the other chickens are still fine this morning.