Question Why did she die so suddenly?!?

[SadieGH]

Hi everyone

Im feeling quite sad, one of my favourite hens died in my arms this morning. But I have no idea why she died.

When I opened the door to let everyone outside, she was lying on the ground not moving at all. I carefully picked her up and she was very weak. Her breathing was slow and shallow, she could barely keep her head up and her eyes were closed. I gentle opened her eye and her pupal was so big her eye looked completely black. I supported her head and she opened her mouth a bit but didn’t make any noise. I checked her all over. No wounds, she hadn’t been injured. Her comb and wattles were nice and red. Nothing seemed physically wrong. Then she twitched a little, and died in my arms.

The night before she was completely fine. Running around with everyone else. Happy to see people (she was so friendly) and she had been laying eggs.

So what happened over night? Why did she die so suddenly?
The rest of my flock seem healthy and happy, but I’ll be keeping a close eye on them for a while.

Any insight or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
-Sadie

[kenya]

So sorry to hear but sometimes you just don't know.

[Killerbunny]

Sorry to hear about this - very pretty girl. How old was she?

[SadieGH]

Sorry to hear about this - very pretty girl. How old was she?

She was this years 2017 spring chick. She was so sweet. It’s to bad I don’t have any of her offspring.

[Killerbunny]

Could be so many things, often they hide things until it's too late.
With the pupil dilation and no other symptoms/signs you may want to check around for a poisonous plant or poison of some sort.

[ross]

Look at different colours around her eyes & face in the before & after pics . Looks blue /purple . Lack of oxygen choked or heart maybe . Cut her open & see if anything stands out . Luck

[Happy]

Aww I'm so sorry you lost your poor girl. She was beautiful. I'm going to agree with Ross...her colour looks very purple in that top pic. Since it came out of nowhere like that I would guess heart as well. If it's any consolation it's awfully difficult to help a sick chicken. I've learned the hard way that once you see they are sick usually the best you can do is comfort them. Sorry again for your loss.

[Jaye]

So sorry you lost her. It's always hard to lose them, but when they are good one day and at death's door the next, it's just that much harder to come to grips with. Hugs.

[windwalkingwolf]

Heart would be my number one guess as well. I'm glad she had you there for comfort in her final minutes. Sorry for your lost

[WLLady]

I am sorry to hear. Usually when they go that fast its a heart problem. Not much (if anything) that you could have done.