How long before rigor mortis sets in??

[aidensmomma]

I just found my beautiful FBC Maran roo dead in the run....just, dead. All the other chickens are fine, no hisotry of infections no sickness. I'm trying to figure out if he never made it into the coop last night (which would be weird because there is no obvious trauma to his body) or if it happened after they were let out this morning. He's stiff already so I'm trying to figure out a timeline. So so strange. I have never had this happen before. he was so pretty! poor thing.

 

[dough13]

I just had to put down a chicken the other day and rigor set in within approx 20 minutes but no more than 30 mins i thought that was really fast and i attributed it to her being so sick but if i remember correctly i had another hen i seen take her last breaths and rigor set in quickly (less than 30 mins) with her as well.

 

[aidensmomma]

Thanks for the reply. I suspect he was attacked by an older hen or the main rooster after they were let out...and barely two hours passed before rigor set in. I have no clue what happened! So frustrating. Thanks again.