12 chickens dead

[woodmort]

It is possible for chickens to be chased and die without actually there being signs of harm. I lost 7 pullets to a fisher a few weeks ago--actually saw it happen--and there wasn't a mark on any of the birds. The fisher got into the chicken yard and chased the birds into the fence--the yard is 100 X 80'. I don't think he actually touch any of them before I chased him away.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Well... perhaps it was because the dog was known to your chickens and they did not perceive it as a threat? A visitor came to my house once with his dog and it got hold of one of my chickens before he or anyone could stop it - I was not home at the time - and the place looked like a pillow fight, although the hen did survive. Needless to say it was the last time he brought his dog here, he felt terrible. As well he should, I might add.

 

[Folly's place]

Usually if it was a predator there will be wounds somewhere, although they might be very small. Also, pellets can leave small wounds, but there would be something. Definitely the OP needs to find out what happened!
Saving samples of their food and water may be helpful, although toxicology gets expensive.
Again, it's a sad situation, so sorry.
Mary

 

[EggWalrus]

Twice, I've had predators chase chickens till they dropped dead of heart attacks. But your case sounds different like poison. Bad feed, poison flowers, new Teflon covered light bulbs produce fumes that make birds drop dead. If I we're you, and I could afford it, I would get a toxicology report and a necropsy done to be certain of what happened.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

I’m so sorry to hear of your loss! So many chickens gone.

 

[micstrachan]

So sorry for your loss. Do you have weasels where you live? I think they can kill a flock quickly with no visible injuries (just bite puncture marks hidden by feathers).

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

If I had to guess I would say the heat killed them.

 

[Counting chickens]

Different places have different temperatures.

Understood, But she's in Texas, we're having a cool front. Looks like she is just a bit too far south, though...

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I just don't buy heat or heart attack killing all 12 birds that were free range. And I think people blame heart attack for what they don't know.

@AutumnTexas did you save any of the bodies for necropsy? Are you planning to get one? Sorry again for your loss and experience.