Buff Orpington found dead today - no signs of illness stress

[Karen 2739]

I found my beautiful Buff Orpinton hen 1 1/2 year old dead today. She didn't show any signs of illness, was healthy by any standard I could see. She did molt her first Autumn and she seemed to scare a little easier than the rest. All the other girls (5) were unfazed by her death inside and were outside the enclosed run. No signs of anything unusual inside. The only change I've made was that on Sunday I sprinkled some DE on the run. Could this be the cause? I will be searching all day today for any possible clues. I don't think she was egg bound. I checked her over, but I can't be absolutely sure. I will be looking for possible causes all day. Sad day. I appreciate any help.

Thank you,

 

[dawg53]

I dont know if it's hot where you live, but heat stress can cause death. Other than that, there are normally 3 basic things which can cause death; eggbound/egg impacted, lice/mites...particularly mites, worms.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I am so sorry for your loss.

Sprinkling DE wouldn't have been the cause- make SURE you use food grade DE though.

I agree with all dawg53's advice- check for mites...it is good to treat your coop (and retreat in a week) every once in awhile to make sure you don't get the mites that come out at night- the red mite - you can see them at night under the roosts and otherwise you would never know they are there.

The Northern Fowl Mite and Lice live on the bird and you treat the chicken (and retreat) if you have them.

Worms certainly can take a flock down too. Any watery diarrhea (other than the normal caecal poos every 8th poo that look liquid)? Poo sticking to the bottom of a hen?