2 hens dead in a week

[MagnoliaMama]

I had a 3 year old Easter Egger die about a week ago. There were no signs of injury or illness. She was in the coop and looked as if the had fallen off of the roost dead. A second hen, an 8 year old Australorp, died today. She was in the run with no signs of injury. Both birds had been apparently healthy. The posture in both when I found them was odd - outstretched heads and feet. They were positioned like toy rubber chickens.
I feed a quality layer feed and no scraps. I use a bag of feed in a few weeks and store it inside in a covered container. I checked the feed and it is still dry with no off-odor. They had fresh water.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

What state are you in?
There can be well over a dozen disease reasons for sudden death with no symptoms.
Then there are the non-disease reasons like heart attack.
Save the carcass and send to your state poultry lab to rule out disease.

 

[Artichoke Lover]

2x on sending off a body. It could be just a coincidence or it could be a disease, something toxic they got into, or even possibly something like a bite from a poisonous snake or spider in the coop or run.

 

[HawaiiCoyote]

x3 for sending in the carcass for an autopsy

 

[MagnoliaMama]

What state are you in?
There can be well over a dozen disease reasons for sudden death with no symptoms.
Then there are the non-disease reasons like heart attack.
Save the carcass and send to your state poultry lab to rule out disease.

Thank you. I am in Virginia and plan to call my extension agent in the morning to find out how to get a necropsy. I am just worried that if they have a contagion, I may have to euthanize the remaining girls.

 

[Jeanw]

Perhaps they got into something toxic or poisonous.

 

[MagnoliaMama]

My concern with a necropsy is having to destroy my remaining birds if it is a contagion. Has anyone had this happen?

 

[Jeanw]

If you are sending for necropsy keep them cold not frozen.

 

[MagnoliaMama]

The 7 year old Buff Orpington I was worried about last night got up this morning and is drinking!

 

[Artichoke Lover]

The 7 year old Buff Orpington I was worried about last night got up this morning and is drinking!

That’s great! I’m glad she’s doing better!