What to do after dead chicken?

[ericaperry]

My 10wk old mixed flock is let out everyday of their coop and run, random times of the day as I work a varied schedule.

Today, I discovered little Maya (our golden laced wyandotte) face down and motionless in the pine shavings of the run. The other 4 ran out the run door. I visually inspected Maya and didn't see any signs of wounds or injury. I call her little because she was the smallest one out of the flock, however I know our buff orp is at the bottom of the pecking order because her growing comb was pecked by a bigger chicken (and I've seen all of them pick on her)

Anyways. I've ruled out injury, predator (coop is built using The Palace plans on here; it is SOLID)...but seems like that leaves an infinite list of possibilities. What do I do with my remaining chickens? Keep an eye on them and hope for the best. The coop and run?? Do I clean everything out...replace the shavings and scrub everything down...this is my first flock so I'm not freaking out (yet)

 

[Red Banks]

I have had chickens just drop dead. Everyone else healthy and no problems. Just keep an eye on them. They can break their neck falling off the roost. Die of a heart attack. Sorry for Maya.

Sorry I just realized 10 week olds...... probably not a heart attack. Keep an eye on them. If she didn't seem ill I wouldn't panic yet.

 

[ericaperry]

I should mention in our yard we have grass, dirt, pea gravel, wood chips for mulch, lots of plants, veggies, succulents...they do "share" the yard with our dogs but never together. I thought "is there something poisonous here??"

We have bell peppers, a really small avocado tree, roses, crown of thorns, jade plant, daylilies, purple holders bush, lavender, sage, pink Chinese fringe tree, boxwood...they really liked hanging out near the compost bin

 

[ericaperry]

I have had chickens just drop dead. Everyone else healthy and no problems. Just keep an eye on them. They can break their neck falling off the roost. Die of a heart attack. Sorry for Maya.

I've read of this happening. Maybe she was just a "runt" ? :/

 

[Red Banks]

I've read of this happening. Maybe she was just a "runt" ? :/

Yes.... or just wasn't going to thrive. You never really know. I am sorry..... I hate to lose them. It has happened to me so often that I have at least toughened a little.

 

[ericaperry]

Yes.... or just wasn't going to thrive. You never really know. I am sorry..... I hate to lose them. It has happened to me so often that I have at least toughened a little.

Thank you for your kind words. I think I handled my first loss pretty well. I will have to hope and pray for the rest of my girls then.

 

[Red Banks]

I should mention in our yard we have grass, dirt, pea gravel, wood chips for mulch, lots of plants, veggies, succulents...they do "share" the yard with our dogs but never together. I thought "is there something poisonous here??"

We have bell peppers, a really small avocado tree, roses, crown of thorns, jade plant, daylilies, purple holders bush, lavender, sage, pink Chinese fringe tree, boxwood...they really liked hanging out near the compost bin

Once I had an Ameraucana that seemed fine but everytime I looked at her she was just standing by herself or near the water. She was alert, she drank and ate but...... I picked her up and she was stinky and her breast was wet. Her crop was ripped open, every thing she ate or drank was coming out of her crop. She was starving and thirsty. I had to put her down but it amazes me how stoic chickens are. To look at her you would not have known how badly she was injured.

I am surprised you have bell peppers, my chickens eat the bush before I can have one!

 

[jane s chickens]

Goat tied out to eat in the garden. No sign of bloat. Petunia in dog crate cause she's the only one not scared of my hiking stick. Polish roo back in pen with his 4 hens. He gave me a bad scratch on my ankle. Another day on Jane's mini farm.