Chicken Suddenly Died

[Pigeony]

I have a mixed flock of 5 hens, they just started laying about 2 months ago. My Salmon Faverolle was found dead in the nest box today with a fresh egg under her. She'd only laid about 3 times, the egg looked healthy but a little small. She was the last layer and only started about a week or so ago. We did have a particularly hot and dry summer but I thought the chickens were doing well. She was acting normal, plenty bright and active. What could she have died of that would be all of a sudden like that? Should I be concerned for my other girls?

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I’m so sorry for your loss, unfortunately I have nothing much else to offer. Do your other birds seem OK?

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry for your loss. It could be a number of things that caused her death. She might have been eggbound for awhile before she laid, but it can be common sometimes to lose a hen around the time they mature and start to lay. Only having a necropsy performed by your state vet would answer your questions. Here is a list of them, along with how to keep the body cold and not frozen:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[Pigeony]

I’m so sorry for your loss, unfortunately I have nothing much else to offer. Do your other birds seem OK?

No behavior or feather problems that I've seen, they eat well and are active. All are laying and pretty regularly too.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

As @Eggcessive wrote, she may have been egg bound.

 

[Kris10fromKS]

I have a mixed flock of 5 hens, they just started laying about 2 months ago. My Salmon Faverolle was found dead in the nest box today with a fresh egg under her. She'd only laid about 3 times, the egg looked healthy but a little small. She was the last layer and only started about a week or so ago. We did have a particularly hot and dry summer but I thought the chickens were doing well. She was acting normal, plenty bright and active. What could she have died of that would be all of a sudden like that? Should I be concerned for my other girls?

Sorry for your loss. I came home last night to find one of my hens had died as well. Not sure what could have caused it. They aren't laying at the moment, currently molting. Everyone has seemed fine but she was dead in the yard. Not attacked by anything as she was completely intact. Sad

 

[Kiki]

Sorry for your loss. I came home last night to find one of my hens had died as well. Not sure what could have caused it. They aren't laying at the moment, currently molting. Everyone has seemed fine but she was dead in the yard. Not attacked by anything as she was completely intact. Sad

What exactly do you feed your birds?

 

[Kris10fromKS]

I can't remember the name, it's made by ADM Pen Pals. A 21% protein crumble feed. Then I give them some occasional corn pieces and some random table scraps, mainly veggies.

 

[JessChook]

Sorry to hear this. Like you and Kiki, I just lost a hen this morning that hadn't ever laid but should have. I could tell that she wasn't healthy but other than her pea comb being tiny and white and her being thin, I couldn't find any cause. Perhaps it was Coccidiosus. I have her body in box and am going to go over it later in the day. So frustrating for us. With mine, I'm worried that it could spread. I have the Chicken Health Handbook by Gail Damerow to refer to but that offers numerous possibilities. That said, Pigeony if you want me to look up something for you, I can. Lastly, did rigor mortis set in right away? I have a friend who is a chicken owner and a mortician and he says that it can set in immediately when there has been a struggle. So that can be a clue.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. The only way to know what a chicken died from is to get a professional necropsy by your state poultry vet. Many pullets can die of heart or liver failure as they come to maturity. Sometimes a home necropsy might reveal a reproductive disorder or infection, or an enlarged heart. Take pictures of organs if doing a home necropsy and post here. Here is a list of most state vets who perform necropsies:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm