4 dead hens!

[Sylverfly]

My hens have been ravenously hungry lately and they are all pretty fat, they are over 3 years old now and within the past 2 months 4 have died. They all (including the ones that died) showed no signs of illness. The hens were fine then a few hours later they where dead. Could they have a disease I’m not picking up on or is 3 just old for a hen. Also they all have been eating, drinking, being social, and their poops look fine. Anyone have a clue what could be happening to my poor hens.

 

[Judy]

My first thought is worms; do you worm them and with what?

Read through the questions in the sticky at the beginning of this section and wee shat other info may be of help.

 

[Sylverfly]

I use natural wormers and have had them checked and no worms in my flock. They are always hungry but they are very plump and as I said have showed no signs that I could see of being ill. They were fine then they died. Is it possible that they are just getting old and that these are natural old age deaths.

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

If the died fat and happy worms are not likely the cause. Are these sudden deaths with no sign of trouble before or are the birds just off a bit one day and dead the next.

If the birds are on the plump side just like people their risk of heart failure and strokes goes up.

 

[Carrie Lynn]

What breed were your hens?
So sorry you lost them...

 

[Sylverfly]

Well the 4 that died have all been the fattest of my hens but I don’t know what to do because if I don’t feed them as much as I am feeding them they get very destructive and even pick fights with each other. I’m not sure why they act so hungry it’s a bit worrisome to me. But they have died instantly on a nest or dead on the roost, they have all been fine running around eating drinking then an hour or so later I found them dead. The only reason I can think (if its not a disease) that’s making them hungry is that they are bored they’ve eaten all the grass in their run and don’t have much else to do I guess. I’ll be moving them in the spring to a new coop with a huge fenced area for them to roam hopefully the move will help them feel more entertained. Is there such a thing as chicken life enrichment.

Thanks for the sympathy, they will be missed. They were a red sexlink, a cuckoo maran, and two white leghorns.

 

[zoo2u]

i'm sorry to hear about your girls. i don't know what would cause this but 3 is not old. We have a 7 year old. i would talk to a vet...

 

[jjthink]

Do you know what breed they are?

If you can, get a necropsy if this happens to any others. Too many deaths in too short a time - something is wrong.
JJ

 

[Robo]

They could be to fat, and have a heart problem.