why did my hen pass

[talkinboutchickens]

Hello. I've come with heartbreaking news. At least to me. The other day, I discovered that my sapphire gem Gert had passed. The night before, we locked them up. Day after that, we did not let them free range since we were going somewhere and didn't want them near the car. It came as such a surprise to me as I've been keeping chickens for 5 years and always watch them to look for any signs of illness, parasites, etc. I checked her body; no parasites, no wounds, I even looked in her mouth and nothing there. Empty crop though. She has always been more of a slow girl because she was a very large chicken, if any of my other breeds were acting like that I would know there was something up. Prior to her death, she wasn't lethargic, and to my knowledge she was eating well! I check their poop regularly for worms. And no sign of egg problems. I provide them with fresh water every day, and food when they need a refilling. I feel so heartbroken to know that I could have done something if I was there. If I knew what was up.
She passed next to their waterer in the coop. That is all I know. The only 2 things I can think of is a heart attack or something heat related, since she was a big girl. Do yall agree with me, or could it have been something else? p.s. she has never had any history with health problems at all.

rest in peace Gert

 

[Justagalwithchicks]

Hello. I've come with heartbreaking news. At least to me. The other day, I discovered that my sapphire gem Gert had passed. The night before, we locked them up. Day after that, we did not let them free range since we were going somewhere and didn't want them near the car. It came as such a surprise to me as I've been keeping chickens for 5 years and always watch them to look for any signs of illness, parasites, etc. I checked her body; no parasites, no wounds, I even looked in her mouth and nothing there. Empty crop though. She has always been more of a slow girl because she was a very large chicken, if any of my other breeds were acting like that I would know there was something up. Prior to her death, she wasn't lethargic, and to my knowledge she was eating well! I check their poop regularly for worms. And no sign of egg problems. I provide them with fresh water every day, and food when they need a refilling. I feel so heartbroken to know that I could have done something if I was there. If I knew what was up.
She passed next to their waterer in the coop. That is all I know. The only 2 things I can think of is a heart attack or something heat related, since she was a big girl. Do yall agree with me, or could it have been something else? p.s. she has never had any history with health problems at all.

rest in peace Gert
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I'm so sorry your Gert passed away. Sounds like she had a beautiful life and was well taken care. Hope you find the answer you are seeking.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

Sorry for your loss of Gert! She sounds like she was very well taken care of by you. How old was she? With the heat pushing everything to its limit I would suspect age + heat being the issue.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I think the only way you could know cause of death for sure would be to get a necropsy from a state lab. You'd have to put the body in a cooler with ice, double-bagged in plastic, and send it off.

Here is a list of State Labs for obtaining a necropsy:

https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[Squawkers]

I’m so sorry talkingaboutchickens! It was probably a heart attack or something similar, but I agree that a necropsy would be a good idea. It’s heartbreaking news for everyone when our chickens pass

 

[talkinboutchickens]

I'm so sorry your Gert passed away. Sounds like she had a beautiful life and was well taken care. Hope you find the answer you are seeking.

Sorry for your loss of Gert! She sounds like she was very well taken care of by you. How old was she? With the heat pushing everything to its limit I would suspect age + heat being the issue.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I think the only way you could know cause of death for sure would be to get a necropsy from a state lab. You'd have to put the body in a cooler with ice, double-bagged in plastic, and send it off.

Here is a list of State Labs for obtaining a necropsy:

https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

I’m so sorry talkingaboutchickens! It was probably a heart attack or something similar, but I agree that a necropsy would be a good idea. It’s heartbreaking news for everyone when our chickens pass

Thank you so very much everyone for the comforting words I love this community of people so much because of how they understand me.
She was only 3 years old as of May or June.
We have already buried her. Next to my slw Vicky who passed 2 years ago. I was considering a necropsy but the thought of her body that was once alive being torn apart hurts me because I can picture her looking down from heaven and being like why did she take my body to people who are ripping me apart, I thought she liked me. Stupid thought, I know. I'm just sensitive I guess. It would definitely help us understand better of her passing perhaps but I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I took my best friend to people who would disembowel every part of her. I might be able to do it in the future when I'm more accustomed to chickens passing and when it's absolutely necessary such as if one of my chickens possibly gets a disease. Or if a chicken passes that I didn't really like in the first place. It definitely doesn't help my worry of a necropsy that Gert was one of my favorite girls and that she was 1 of 2 chickens that ever jumped up onto my back. I don't mean to refuse every last piece of suggestions from yall, after all I asked for opinions in the first place but I guess I just wanted to let you guys know the reason behind me being all scared about it. thank you guys so much again.