Rooster death- why?

[Stablecoop]

We had a rooster as of yesterday perfect health. This morning he was sneezing. Two hours later dead. Blue face and comb when found. No apparent obstruction in mouth or nostrils. Mucus in mouth. Anyone have any idea about what could have happened? 15 hens in flock, no one else is sneezing or sick. Huge enclosed run, coop in huge barn, two 12x12 stalls converted to coop. Very well ventilated. So sad but want to know if it’s something transmittable to rest of flock.

 

[nuthatched]

How old was he? Sometimes chickens have heart attacks.

 

[Stablecoop]

How old was he? Sometimes chickens have heart attacks.

He was a year and a half and in perfect body condition according to vet check up in September.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I also considered heart attack. I've lost roosters instantly to heart attacks. But there is no way to guess with any certainty. You need to send the carcass to your poultry lab to find out what killed him.
Here is one of the labs in MA.
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/diagnostic-testing-services
If it isn't close, call them and they'll likely send you a FedEx label for shipping the "medical sample".

 

[Sally PB]

You need to send the carcass to your poultry lab to find out what killed him.

Keep the body cold, but not frozen.

 

[Stablecoop]

I also considered heart attack. I've lost roosters instantly to heart attacks. But there is no way to guess with any certainty. You need to send the carcass to your poultry lab to find out what killed him.
Here is one of the labs in MA.
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/diagnostic-testing-services
If it isn't close, call them and they'll likely send you a FedEx label for shipping the "medical sample".

Thank you so much. I really appreciate the information, I was trying to find a place to do a necropsy. We have already buried him, but I will keep this labs info for future. Thank you again.

 

[Stablecoop]

I also considered heart attack. I've lost roosters instantly to heart attacks. But there is no way to guess with any certainty. You need to send the carcass to your poultry lab to find out what killed him.
Here is one of the labs in MA.
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/diagnostic-testing-services
If it isn't close, call them and they'll likely send you a FedEx label for shipping the "medical sample".

I just sent them an email. I really can’t tell you how much I appreciate this information. It was difficult for me to find a place that would do a necropsy so I very much appreciate your help.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If you didn't get dirt on the carcass, for instance put him in a bag before you covered him up, You could still dig him up and send him in.
I send every unexplained death to our state diagnostic lab, University of Missouri school of veterinary medicine. Not very cheap but well worth knowing exactly what the cause of death was and not guessing.
I keep a small box lined with some pieces of Styrofoam and a freezer pack for the purpose.
Avoid vets for necropsies. They will normally still use the state lab. They will delay the process and have a surcharge for the service.

 

[Stablecoop]

I also considered heart attack. I've lost roosters instantly to heart attacks. But there is no way to guess with any certainty. You need to send the carcass to your poultry lab to find out what killed him.
Here is one of the labs in MA.
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/diagnostic-testing-services
If it isn't close, call them and they'll likely send you a FedEx label for shipping the "medical sample".

I also considered heart attack. I've lost roosters instantly to heart attacks. But there is no way to guess with any certainty. You need to send the carcass to your poultry lab to find out what killed him.
Here is one of the labs in MA.
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/diagnostic-testing-services
If it isn't close, call them and they'll likely send you a FedEx label for shipping the "medical sample".

I emailed them and they don’t have a lab to do necropsy BUT they did give me contact info for the UNH lab in New Hampshire. Without your help I would not have this resource right now. I wanted to let you know how thankful I am for you taking your time to help me.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I emailed them and they don’t have a lab to do necropsy BUT they did give me contact info for the UNH lab in New Hampshire. Without your help I would not have this resource right now. I wanted to let you know how thankful I am for you taking your time to help me.

Well, I have a couple lists of all the poultry labs in the states and was surprised Massachusetts wasn't on the lists. I also have lab info for several different countries. Hopefully, NH will help you.