Chicken Death

[chickensorbust]

I have 15 hens and One Rooster who are over one year in age. They have been in perfect health. From the time I released them into a coop and let them roam, I have always counted heads to make sure they are all accounted for by day's end. This morning when I went out to feed my chickens, one was missing. I looked everywhere for her but could not find her. By the end of the day I decided to search the original coop that the chicks were raised in after they became old enough to stay in the coop and outside of the brooder. I found my missing hen laying by herself in the old unused coop dead. I live on Long Island, New York. We have had a very difficult winter here and have been told she may have succumbed to stress from the winter weather. My concern is disease or illness spreading to the other hens and rooster. Can anyone advise me about what could have led to her demise and what to look out for with the rest of my flock? Thank you.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Sorry for your loss. Have you checked her over for injuries? Was she acting different? Eating/drinking/ pooping? The only way to know why she passed is necropsy. Thinking a Vet may be helpful or you Dept of Ag? You'll have to preserve the body (refrigerate, not sure about freezin) ASAP.

 

[sawilliams]

Unfortunatly it's always difficult to detirmine what might have happened. Check for injury, mites and lice. Check others poops for signs of worms. Other then that just watch the others for anyone that's acting off. Chances are she went to the other coop to get away from the flock so no one was bothering her as she was already to weak to defend herself. If anyone starts acting strange weak lethargic or just doesn't look quite right i would seperate them and evaluate. Sorry for your loss, I know how it feels we have lost a few randomly too. It's always a little sad and a lot worrisome. Hopefully everyone else will be fine.

 

[kissezmychicken]

First off, I am so sorry you lost your hen. I know it's confusing and sad. Unfortunately, without symptoms or a necropsy, it's hard to determine what the cause of her death is. Winter is so worrisome for me too...then the extreme summer temps cause me to anxiety as well. my kindest regards to you, Trish

 

[ForrestGump]

It could have been anything. She could have eating something toxic, or a foreign object. It could have just been her time. A lot of the hens that are high egg producing breeds don't live that long. I've had some plymouth rock hens that died around a year old. Same with rhode island reds and production reds. If your birds came from a hatchery they weren't bred with longevity in mind. Sorry you lost your girl!

 

[Abriana]

I’m so sorry for your loss