Both hens dead within hours - no previous symptoms

[ChurroBurro]

Hey y'all,
I had a tragic weekend where both my hens died unexpectedly and without symptoms.
My brother let them out of the coop in the morning and they were fine. Pecking at the worms he brought them and by the time he got home from work they were both dead.
Nothing physically wrong with them. One was in her nesting box and the other in her dust bath. What happened? I'm at a loss.
It's been hot here but they get fresh water everyday with icecubes. I even put some frozen gallons on water in the coop and run for then to lean against.
Their sister was killed by a raccoon about weeks ago, I don't know if that's relevant.
Thanks. I'm just devastated over here.

 

[User395221]

I'm so sorry, how upsetting.

You can't really know without a necropsy. Could be heat related, or perhaps poisoning of some sort. I have no idea, I just wanted to express my sympathy.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. A necropsy performed by your state vet or poultry lab would be the only way to diagnose what killed a chicken, but I would suspect something like mold in feed, botulism, or other poison or toxin may be the reason. Ask if neighbors have used any insecticides or weed killer on lawns. Look for any dead animal or fish remains, or rotted vegetation that may have been unearthed, which can be a source of botulinum toxin. Mold in feed can be common in warm humid weather, and feed or scratch grains may be blue-green or have a chemical odor. Tainted water could also be a possible source of poisoning.

 

[ChurroBurro]

I'm so sorry, how upsetting.

You can't really know without a necropsy. Could be heat related, or perhaps poisoning of some sort. I have no idea, I just wanted to express my sympathy.

Thanks so much for responding. I suspect some poisoning of some kind, but wanted to hear what other people though.