What killed my chicken?

[gettineggs]

Had a 1yr old slw, she laid, then about 2 hours later was dead in the run. When we picked her up she was definitely dead, but drooling like crazy, and her face was purple. I would think choking, but her crop was pretty squishy. So sour crop? Choking? Any ideas?

 

[chickenman111]

Was there an off smell? If there was it's probably sour crop.

 

[gettineggs]

I'd say I was about a foot away and didn't smell much? Did I need to get really close to smell?

 

[gettineggs]

And it seemed to be clear

 

[chickenman111]

I don't think you should have to get too close to smell, you should be able to smell rotten feed if it's crop is impacted. To me it sounds like it may have choked. I have a rooster that tries to eat things too big for it's beak, I've had to pull things out of his mouth several times, I'm sorry for your loss. Now there is one more thing, do you live in an area where there are venomous snakes? That's the only other thing I could think of that it could be.

 

[gettineggs]

Yea I think she might have choked too
we live in central jersey, I haven't seen any snakes around.

 

[chickenman111]

Ok, just checking. I don't really know how to prevent something like this, I'm sorry for your loss.