Buff orpy found dead

[hessross]

We have 6 hens and today we woke to find one laying in the corner of run dead under the roosts. I am so sad these are our first chickens. They are 13 months old. I was out of town all week but my hubby said they were all acting normal. I just feel like I let her down. I am pretty sure her neck was broken. Her feet were cold but she was still a little warm bu stiff. I just wish I got up earlier maybe she wouldn't have hurt herself then. She was so sweet and the friendliest and layer the cutest little speckled brown eggs. She also made these wonderful noises. She always sounded like she was growling at us. The other birds seem so quiet without her. Pasty aka growler will be missed she was one awesome beautiful little clucker. I am sorry babe. RIP

Thanks for letting me share. Love this site and the members have been very helpful with my numerous chicken questions.

 

[BantamLover21]

I'm sorry for your loss.

I've recently lost one of my favorite birds, too (a sweet Cochin bantam named Brownie) and I know how hard it can be.

Chickens can die suddenly for many reasons: heart attack, being egg bound, injury, etc. Heart attacks are probably the most common, but egg binding would not be unusual with a laying hen. Without a necropsy (or even with one), it is unlikely that you would ever know what happened to poor Pasty. I'd just keep an eye on the rest of your flock, and hope that something like this won't happen again.

 

[hessross]

I am watching the rest of my flock. They aren't acting the same as usual but nothing I can put my finger on. Maybe they are grieving in their own chicken wy. My RIR has been searching our small yard for hours now. She keeps checking the nesting boxes even flying on top of the coop behind the shed in the shed everywhere trying to fund her friend. She has always been the mother hen. So sweet. I will keep my eyes open though in case it's something affecting my whole flock.
RIP Brownie. Sorry for your loss also

 

[seminolewind]

Sorry for your loss.