[Kathie]

Hi, 
We have been looking to re-home a beautiful Maran cockerel, Sid, but without any luck, so had come to the decision that he was with us for good.  After tea tonight my husband took some rice out for the chickens only to find all Sid's red comb and wattles were purply grey and he was fluttering about on his back, then he died.  Has anyone got any idea what may have caused this?

I feel so bad that he may have been like that for anything up to 20mins, and on his own, well the hens were about but no-one paid him any attention. Poor Sid.  Thanks for reading this.
Kathie

[joyfull]

So sorry to hear about Sid, but going by the condition of his comb I would say he probably had a heart attack or similar and nothing could have been done to save him 

[NormandyMary]

Oh poor Sid. RIP little man.

[evie2]

So very sorry to hear Sid died

Grace

[Kathie]

Thanks all,  when I posted before it had only just happened. We've had time to take it all in and are both very shaken by this and feel so sad.
We agree with you Joyfull, it's the only plausible answer 
Thanks again
Kathie
 

[Frothgar]

I was so sorry to read that Sid had died - I know from past experiences how upsetting it can be when you lose an animal.  Condolences.

[Kathie]

Thanks Frothgar,  we still keep going over the events to see if we can work out why it happened, he was less than a year old
Kathie

[chloe]

Did they have enough water? because if his comb and wattles were purple/grey that is a sign of dehydration.

[sneezer]

So sorry to hear about Sid :(Don't beat yourself up about it their was nothing you could have done sometimes they do have heart attacks even so young x

[Pretty Chick]

How awful Poor Sid  

[Kathie]

Thanks again everyone. 

Chloe, thanks for the suggestion but they are completly free range with a tiny stream that runs through the neighbours paddock, and plenty of water bowls on our own land.  Sid was very fond of joining our dogs (2 staffies and a JR) and drinking out of their bowl with them that we have around the gardens, so I don't think it was dehydration.

It was about 6pm when I last saw him and about half hour later he was crowing and we joked that he was shouting for his treat by 7pm he had gone.
Thanks to you all again
Kathie