I found my chicken dead in the coop - what happened?

I've had this happen to me before with my lovely Hen jerry. She was breathing slowly in the coop laying down. My sister told me not to pick her up. When I came back to check on her within 45 seconds she was laying dead.
 
Over the past 2 months I've found 3 of my Buffs dead overnight. Nothing appeared wrong. No weakness, they were drinking and eating well, no sign whatsoever of any health issues. Coop stays clean, have wide open spaces to roam, etc. I've been raising hens for almost 15 years and have never had this happen. The ones that died are from the same hatch obtained from Tractor Supply in march last year. Can't help but think there are some genetic issues here. Down to 5 layers not so I reckon its time to replenish the flock again.
 
Over the past 2 months I've found 3 of my Buffs dead overnight. Nothing appeared wrong. No weakness, they were drinking and eating well, no sign whatsoever of any health issues. Coop stays clean, have wide open spaces to roam, etc. I've been raising hens for almost 15 years and have never had this happen. The ones that died are from the same hatch obtained from Tractor Supply in march last year. Can't help but think there are some genetic issues here. Down to 5 layers not so I reckon its time to replenish the flock again.
Sorry for your loss. It is hard to know for sure what they died of without getting a necropsy done by your state vet. I would look for any toxins in the environment, such as mold in feed, poisonous plants, or botulism from eating a dead animal or vegetation that has been buried or underwater. It might be good to start a new thread of your own on the emergency forum where more people will respond:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures.10/create-thread
 
I just found my 2 hr old hen dead, on her back in the corner of the coop. She was below the roost outside the nesting boxes. I didn't know how to tell if her neck was broken bit it was wobbly when I checked it. She ate and laid yesterday! She showed no ill signs, healthy bright red comb for a Lavender Orpington. She was big tho. She got around fine but was quite big! Maybe her liver???
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom