Lost my beautiful hen

[Hillbilly Hen]

So sorry for your loss.

 

[triciayoung]

You know, I'm starting to believe that she just choked on on her feed too. There is no other explanation that would make sense. I do regret not trying to rub her throat or crop when it was happening, perhaps it would have made a difference. Atleast now I know, if this happens again, I'll try what you suggested. They currently eat a feed called Don Roberto poultry feed- which has a mix of seeds and grains. I mix this feed with the Purina All Flock pellets. I started adding the All Flock pellets about 4 months ago to make sure they're getting enough protien in their diet. Perhaps pellets were too large for my hen.

She didn't choke. The cough and the fluid is atypical for choking.

 

[Synthlady]

I am very sorry that you lost your hen so suddenly. It sounds like she may have had a crop problem, but it could have been something else entirely. I usually do a home necropsy on hens I lose, since looking at the abdominal organs can sometime give clues as to what was going on. I am linking a video below of a vet necropsy, much more involved than necessary, but where the organs are normal and labeled. If you do one, you are welcome to post pictures of the major organs and ask for opinions. If you still have her body and keep it chilled but not frozen, you state vet could do a much more detailed necropsy and tell you what was wrong. Here is a list of state vets:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...7IOlHOhP-eD8qMtZ70RNq6BMO9kVUn3x6so7q0Z_JgEr8

Thank you, I appreciate the info. I'll definately look into it.

 

[Synthlady]

She is gorgeous!!!!! Do yo know what kind of chicken she was?

Yes, She was half buff orpinton and half australorp. We named her peanut butter because she looks like she was dipped in peanut butter.

 

[Synthlady]

She didn't choke. The cough and the fluid is atypical for choking.

Hmm, then perhaps a crop problem or heart disease? I'm guessing that she choked because it was all of a sudden right after eating a bit of feed from the coop floor. I'm hoping it wasn't a virus, today I was a bit paranoid with the rest of my flock. Everytime I see them do something strange, I start to think they're sick too. Hopefully this doesn't happen again, but if it does, I'll have to take further action into getting a cause of death. Thanks for the insight.

 

[Synthlady]

Peanut Butter is beautiful. Consistent with what you described, I'm thinking liver rupture. Our chickens were bred to lay too many eggs and each egg is very taxing on their livers.

Thank you. I looked into liver rupture/liver disease, sounds like a match. Apparently it's a common cause of sudden death for backyard chicken keepers. I'll have to look into their diet and supplementation.

 

[Themellowyellows]

You know, I'm starting to believe that she just choked on on her feed too. There is no other explanation that would make sense. I do regret not trying to rub her throat or crop when it was happening, perhaps it would have made a difference. Atleast now I know, if this happens again, I'll try what you suggested. They currently eat a feed called Don Roberto poultry feed- which has a mix of seeds and grains. I mix this feed with the Purina All Flock pellets. I started adding the All Flock pellets about 4 months ago to make sure they're getting enough protien in their diet. Perhaps pellets were too large for my hen.

I agree, no other explination. You should try purina crumbles instead. How big are the seeds you are speaking of? Also, your hen was/is beautiful! I have one that looks like her! Her name is Chocolate to brighten up the mood. I attached a pic of her bellow.


Yes, sometimes it sucks when you think back to what you could have done. But we are just humans, we cant do everything. I wish some days I could have gone back to help my egg bound hen recover. Oh well, thats life, we win some we lose some. Still, biggest apologies.

 

[Themellowyellows]

It could have been a number of things but was probably an illness, not choking.

With illnesses, there is probably more symtoms.

 

[Themellowyellows]

Thank you, I'm sorry for your loss too. When I examined her, she actually felt empty, which was strange. I didn't notice any fluid retention at all. Her comb did turn purple as she was passing away. I did consider that it could have been a heart attack. I'm actually going to find out how to obtain a necropsy in my area for any other future tragedies. It would be nice to know the cause of death for sure, for closure and prevention. Thanks again for your insight, so sorry you had to go through the same experience.

Did she start shaking before her passing? Did you notice any weird behavior from her? Also, was she like sneezing and coughing right after she ate?

 

[Synthlady]

I agree, no other explination. You should try purina crumbles instead. How big are the seeds you are speaking of? Also, your hen was/is beautiful! I have one that looks like her! Her name is Chocolate to brighten up the mood. I attached a pic of her bellow.


Yes, sometimes it sucks when you think back to what you could have done. But we are just humans, we cant do everything. I wish some days I could have gone back to help my egg bound hen recover. Oh well, thats life, we win some we lose some. Still, biggest apologies.


View attachment 4092935

She's gorgeous, totally reminds me of my Peanut Butter. Thank you for your kind words, I appreciate it.