2 hens dead in a week

[writerskramp]

Had one with a broken neck..? Had one with it's head tucked under the side wall of the coup..? Had one who looked sick in the eyes.. Was going to bring her in and doctor her a day late.. Had one or two I put down because of recurring advanced sour crop.. Doctored them prior.. before I knew what may help. 1 tablespoon of baking soda to gallon of water one time.. Some murdered and buried.. Suspect a cover up.. Stuff happens.. Postscript: There are predators.. Coons too weasels.. Coons go for the neck and generally decapitate.. Weasels for the neck and suck the blood.. Would explain their positions..

 

[ChickenCanoe]

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

Well that is a remote possibility but unlikely. And in the event they would have to be euthanized, it is what has to happen. But most likely, you will either find a disease that is treatable or find out that they were unrelated events and of no concern. In any event, wouldn't you rather know the absolute truth about your flock? A complete necropsy will identify everything, including any possible health concerns to things like body condition.
Any time I have an unexplained death, I get a necropsy with full workup. To date, I haven't had any disease discovered. Most of the time it was heart attack, especially in roosters.
I also had a very sick hen I tried to get a vet appointment for but It would have been 4 days before the appointment. I said she wouldn't last 4 days. They said I could bring her in and they would observe her till the appointment. I said I could observe her here.
So I drove her to the Mizzou vet school (5+ hours round trip) for humane euthanasia. Turns out she had cancer. Had I wasted time with a vet or guessing on treatments, I would have just prolonged her misery.

Here's your lab.
VDACS Harrisonburg Regional Animal Health Laboratory
261 Mt. Clinton Pike
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802-2551
Phone: 540-209-9130