Chicken sudden death

[ferniepup]

I let my flock out of their coop/run this morning around 7am and everyone was fine and came running out like normal. I went to check on them about 4 hours later, and one of my bantam cochin hens was dead in the run upside down with her feet in the air. I’ve never seen a chicken die in this position before, so I have no idea what would cause this. She was 5-6 years old, no signs of illness/mites/etc. and no visible damage on her body. No predators either.
Anyone know what may have caused this super sudden death, and the odd position of her body? I am starting to freak out a little about the rest of the flock…

 

[Eggcessive]

I am very sorry for your loss. I don’t know what the cause could have been. Chickens are very good at hiding illness. Did you see her actively eating and drinking? Have you seen any lice or mites on her? Reproductive disease and crop problems are very common in middle age hens. Her position could have been because of rigor mortis, but I am not sure. I do home necropsies on hens I lose to look at the abdominal cavity for anything unusual. Your state vet could also do a more thorough necropsy if you keep her body cold. Here is a list of state vets:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...L5h4Xt137GBu32pWJZSRUY5DYhQyVrd4ODmF-Ab8otocc