Would a necropsy even be useful?

[JNorth]

I found one of our 1.5yo RSL hens dead this AM. No signs of trauma, no blood or missing feathers. She was laying in the shallow rubber equine bowl we use for extra water. Her head was hanging over the side (the side of the bowl are only 4 inches high). If it wasn't for her head hanging, she'd have just looked like she was enjoying a soak. When I checked her out there was pale milky yellow discharge coming from her vent. She was acting fine yesterday.

So, would a necropsy really tell me anything useful? Are the other hens in danger?

 

[silkiechicken]

Perhaps she had a reproductive tract malfunction or a broken egg? Or a stuck egg? A necropsy may or may not tell you anything. As for the rest, if they are acting fine, just keep an eye on them.

 

[ten chicks]

I found one of our 1.5yo RSL hens dead this AM. No signs of trauma, no blood or missing feathers. She was laying in the shallow rubber equine bowl we use for extra water. Her head was hanging over the side (the side of the bowl are only 4 inches high). If it wasn't for her head hanging, she'd have just looked like she was enjoying a soak. When I checked her out there was pale milky yellow discharge coming from her vent. She was acting fine yesterday.

So, would a necropsy really tell me anything useful? Are the other hens in danger?

Three things come to mind egg bound,egg peritonitis or ovarian cancer.

 

[JNorth]

I did the necropsy. Egg yolk peritonitis.... As soon as I open her belly I could smell the egg yolk/sulfur smell. She had what looked like scrambled eggs floating around freely with her intestines. Apparently DH noticed that she was slow yesterday but didn't make much of it.

 

[Nutcase]

Three things come to mind egg bound,egg peritonitis or ovarian cancer.

My thoughts exactly.

I did the necropsy. Egg yolk peritonitis.... As soon as I open her belly I could smell the egg yolk/sulfur smell. She had what looked like scrambled eggs floating around freely with her intestines. Apparently DH noticed that she was slow yesterday but didn't make much of it.

Poor thing. You are very brave to have done that - I would be too upset to do anything but bury it.... I've lost at least one chicken to EYP. I'm pretty sure that's what it was although I didn't open her up. She seemed to have a heart attack at my feet after about a week of sickness. It was too traumatic.

 

[Eggcessive]

I did the necropsy. Egg yolk peritonitis.... As soon as I open her belly I could smell the egg yolk/sulfur smell. She had what looked like scrambled eggs floating around freely with her intestines. Apparently DH noticed that she was slow yesterday but didn't make much of it.

Did you take any pictures of her organs? There is a thread here called the Natural Chicken Keeping Thread where some members post pictures of their necropsies done on sick chickens. I feel like it would be very helpful if you took any pictures to show others what you found and to describe it. Sorry for your hen's loss.