Goldie Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Hi Guys - been a while since I've been here but just had a disaster of a morning with my favourite hen Penny All has been normal, let her out this morning normally, and went to collect the eggs about half an hour ago. Penny was on the nest box but had her wing slightly out, and head slightly drooped. She didn't look like herself, not sure why but I went and fetched the water to see if she wanted some. I dipped her beak a tiny bit in the water, she didn't drink but started breathing with an open mouth. Then all of a sudden her head hit the floor, her eyes rolled backwards, and with a bit of flapping, that was it - out cold! Has anyone seen this before? All I can think is she had a heart attack - it was that quick. Any suggestions as to why a hen would die this quickly will help to put my mind at ease - it's always the favourites isn't it!! Thanks, Goldie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Firstly, I'm sorry to hear your news about Penny Secondly, it isn't uncommon for hens to die suddenly. She may have been ill for a while but hiding it so her flockmates didn't start to pick on her, or, as you say, she may have had something like a heart attack which was pretty instantaneous. Many of us have opened up in the morning to find a dead bird, and it was either good or bad luck depending on your point of view, that you saw her just before it happened. I expect it was just a one off event, with nothing you could have done, but just to be on the safe side, keep an eye on the rest of them for the next day or two, but more than likely, as I say, it was just bad luck on poor Penny. RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 That's a shame, poor Penny . It does sound a bit like a heart attack, so at least you know there's nothing you did wrong or could have done to prevent it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Sorry to hear that and as others have said unfortunately it happens occasionally. I lost a lovely little Pekin earlier this year, I was cleaning out and she was chattering away to me, five minutes later she was collapsed in the run and breathing through her beak. I rushed her to the vet but she was passing in my arms in the consulting room, even the vet wasn't sure what it was as she was only a year old. Like you I agonised over it in case I had done something wrong but its just bad luck, like you say its always the favourites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Sorry to hear that. One of my orpies died in my arms pretty much the same way. Very quick and very upsetting. Lots of hugs to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Really sorry to hear it. As others have said, chickens are prey animals and so hide illness very well. We often only spot it when its too late and unfortunately have to put it down to nature. It sounds like you kept a close eye on them and tried your best so just try to look out for your remaining girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I've just been out and found a dead Black Rock in the run. Did my usual complete body check, found nothing abnormal. Her comb was purple so I'm guessing heart attack. At least she wasn't suffering for long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted August 1, 2015 Author Share Posted August 1, 2015 Sorry to hear you've all lost girls in similar ways. I think it was a one off, no signs of illness, no strange colour comb, just fell over and died. The other 4 are all fine, and we added 2 more today (a Bluebell and a Light sussex), will try introductions in a few weeks after quarantine Thanks for replies, guess it is just one of those things with chicken keeping. Unfortunately I witnessed it, and it will probably stay with my for a while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
