5 hens dead, no wounds. What in the world killed my hens?

[jmpchickenman]

I have a backyard flock of 14 hens( well 9 now) that were all seemingly healthy and producing well. Yesterday I only collected and fed them at night but they were all roosting and seemed happy. When I went out this afternoon feathers were all over the run and 5 hens were dead. I thoroughly looked over each dead hen and only one had wounds, but it looked like the wounds came from the chickens pecking her. I went all along the fence and there is no point of entry or exit for a predator. The surviving chickenes aren't skiddish either, still very friendly. I have had a raccoon break in before and the surviving chicken was terrified of me. Could this be a disease? The flock seems healthy and just yesterday gave me 10 eggs. Please help!!!!

 

[coop coop]

"feathers everywhere" sounds like a predator. Rat, possum, dog. The ones with no apparent marks could have had their necks broken. Look for tunnels.

 

[jmpchickenman]

The necks were not broken and I have double checked for tunnels or breaks. I think the feathers fell off due to the others pecking them. Nothing got in or out. They all seemed to just have dropped dead..

 

[coop coop]

Hmm. Then it's beyond me. I have seen the result of predators. Then we're on the same page. Trying to figure out why some of our chickens have died. Best of luck.

 

[jmpchickenman]

Thanks

 

[jmpchickenman]

Good luck to you as well

 

[coop coop]

Did you find out what killed the 5 hens?

Here's my results:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/780832/avian-cholera#post_11238832

Also, I read on these pages if you do an autopsy, refridgerate the hen. Don't freeze.