[Stablechooks]

Hi Folks!
Our cockerel was found dead this morning in the coop, comb had been pale for a few days and wife was able to pick him up for first time ever yesterday - so something not right...  Now our old girl, Buff Sussex showing same pale comb... We never knew how old the cock was,  but this hen only 4 yrs.

Any ideas on cause?  do we need to separate - the other 4 are all currently fine. 

We clean the house every week and are spraying for red mite. No change to diet etc...

Puzzled and wife v upset!

[GrannieAnnie]

Probably about £40 Bob!  He would do an autopsy.  Perhaps the hen died of a broken heart when her cockerel died?  It's been known to happen!

[sunshineband]

Thanks GA.  Do chickens die of a broken heart?

Grannie Annie said so Bob  :blink:

[snow white]

I was given a hen that was a cockerals only paramour.  She was been treadled constantly.  She is fine but the cock died within days...

[Helenaj]

Thanks GA.  Do chickens die of a broken heart?

They are social birds and do form close groups, so it is natural to assume that anything that upsets the group is likely to be a shock.

If another has it though, there is a root cause- check all of them over, listen for rattles, coughs and look for bubbly eyes. Any of these symptoms, get to a vet for an antibiotic such as soluble Tylan.

Have a look at where they graze - any odd plants or anything they could have dug up and eaten? Do people throw scraps over - it could have been something they have got at that way.

You say that you spray every week for red mite -what do you use - is it recommended that it be used that often?