Help, Silkie not eating!

[ermintrude]

Hi Everyone,
Our one year old Silkie was a little subdued yesterday afternoon, spending a lot of time sitting in the shade. It was hot so didn't think too much of it, but our other girls, didn't seem so bothered by the heat. I checked on them about 10:30pm and the Silkie wasn't in the coop with the others, but still sitting outside. I put her in a separate coop with its own run, so if she was feeling under the weather she didn't have to worry about the other hens as she is at the bottom of the pecking order! I have checked on her this morning and she hadn't moved. I offered her corn and water, but she just sat there. I picked her up to check her over and I didn't get the usual flapping. I can't seen anything external and there is no discharge from eyes or beak. When I put her back she did walk a few steps but they were a bit wobbly. I have left the corn next to her so she can eat without having to move. I don't know what else to do and we don't have a chicken vet near us. Has anyone experienced a similar thing or can offer some advice?
Many thanks.

 

[ermintrude]

Unfortunately, I have just gone to check on my poorly Silkie and found her dead. Not sure how or why this has happened, but it did it very quickly! She is at peace now.

 

[Marigold]

so sorry to hear about your silkie, Ermintrude. sometimes hens do just keep over and die, maybe from a heart attack or even a stroke - was her comb blue or purple at all, instead of its usual red? This can be a sign of heart trouble. Also of course hens are very stoic when feeling poorly and try not to give any signs until quite ill, to avaoid being pecked by others who detect weakness, so by the time she was going downhill she must have been feeling very under the weather.
Nothing really you could have done for her - just keep an eye on the others of course, but i expect they'll be OK.

 

[chrismahon]

Very sorry to hear that Emintrude. It's exactly as Marigold says. I would add that heat stroke is a distinct possibility at the moment, followed by a heart attack. My own concern is the heat in the nest boxes with curtains in front that we have. They are all coming out gasping and the coops have been orientated to keep the nest boxes in the shade as much as possible.

 

[foxy]

I am sorry to hear you lost your silkie Ermintrude, very sad..

 

[ermintrude]

Thank you for your kind words.
Unfortunately, Marigold, my Silkie had black face and comb, so couldn't tell if had changed colour. I will keep an eye on the others just in case.