Lost my beautiful hen

[Synthlady]

Hello everyone. I'm very puzzled as to what could have been the cause of death to my orphinton/australorp mix. She was 4 years old. She seemed perfectly healthy all day and when it came time to round up my girls into their coops she suddenly started to cough/sneeze and gasp for air. I let her cough out thinking it would be dangerous to interfere, but then she started to discharge this yellowish-green fluid out of her beak. I felt powerless because I had no idea what to do, but I knew for sure that she was dying. She didn't get a chance to gasp for air and she passed away. Before burying her I checked and she felt normal - no bumps, her crop was unusually empty, but everything else felt normal.

Any ideas as to what could have caused this sudden death? Any insights would be appreciated.

 

[Themellowyellows]

Was she eating before? She probably had choked on some sort of food. I am so so super sorry of your loss. It sucks, I know.

 

[Synthlady]

Was she eating before? She probably had choked on some sort of food. I am so so super sorry of your loss. It sucks, I know.

Thank you, yes, it does suck. I can't ever get used to losing a member of the flock. She ate a bit of vegetable scraps, then when she entered the coop, she ate a bit of left over feed from the floor along with my other birds.

 

[triciayoung]

Most important, are you okay? I never am when I lose one of my chickens. I would love to know her name and see a picture of her.
Did she happen to lay an egg before she passed?

 

[malirae]

I’m so sorry for your loss.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

 

[Themellowyellows]

Thank you, yes, it does suck. I can't ever get used to losing a member of the flock. She ate a bit of vegetable scraps, then when she entered the coop, she ate a bit of left over feed from the floor along with my other birds.

She probably choked on feed. Do you feed pellets or crumbles? I had 3 of my hens choke on pellets before and I had to help them get it out by rubbing there crop gently and turning he so her face is going towards the ground. If you do feed pellets, I suggest changing to crumbles to be on the safe side.

 

[Abrahen Lincoln]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Bawkbok]

I'm sorry for your girl - and more importantly - you. It's so upsetting to lose a chicken especially so suddenly and unexpectedly. It sucks when they are sick and you know the end is nearing but expecting it prepares us more for the inevitable.
We can only surmise the cause but it sounds like she aspirated on something.

 

[NewcoopNewpoop]

I think the fluid color may be key. If it resembles what she ate that is indicative. But if it is opaque infection type mucus, that doesnt happen spontaneously. It would not be caused by a very recent aspiration.