chickens are dead

[terry69]

my buffs are slowly dieing they are two and a half years old I have lost 12 or so out of 60 they don't show any sign of anything wrong .How long should a hen live ?

 

[Varisha]

I am new to chickens so I don't know how long they live but I wanted to say sorry for your losses.

 

[Queen of the Lilliputians]

The natural lifespan of chickens can be 10+ years.. 'course, they usually don't live that long with predators and culling.


How rapidly are they dying? Are there any symptoms? After 12, I think it's time to do some investigating.


-Meghan

 

[speckledhen]

I agree, they don't just drop over of old age at two years old. Seems like there's something going on you need to find out about. Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens even give instructions on how to "post", another word for autopsy, and what to look for when you do.

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

I agree that seems a bit odd that 12 would die so young, I would be curious if any had symptoms or became ill prior. I have been fortunate to have never lost a chicken other then culling them out.

 

[nccatnip]

Can you get a necropsy done? i have seen others post where at times the state will do it free for you. At least you will know the cause.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Chickens can live into their teens. I'd get a necropsy done.

What is their exact diet?

 

[SpottedCrow]

That's not normal...I have a 4 year old and there's a gal on her with a 16 year old who laid an egg last month.
Get this checked out.

 

[CarriBrown]

Can you explain to us how the hens are acting before they die? This may narrow down some ideas a few of us probably have.

 

[broncbuster07]

I hope it's not bird flu!