Closing eyes frequently...then died.

[chickmomma1995]

I am so sad I lost my favorite hen. I noticed a couple weeks ago she closed her eyes quite frequently, but ate normally and was up and around. I went to the coop this morning and she was dead. I noticed another hen also does the closing eyes frequently problem. I have 8 hens now..could this be signs of something serious? I am terrified of Mareks disease. Should i take out the other hen that closes her eyes?

 

[nuthatched]

Closing eyes isn't a symptom of mereks as far as I know, closing eyes is a sign of pain or sickness. Mereks is the big bad poster child for chicken ailment, but 9 times out of 10, it's something else, so you really shouldn't be stressing over it.
Was she actively laying?
Was her poop abnormal?
Any runny eyes or nose?
Wheezing, sneezing?
What are you feeding them?
Was the comb: shrunken, pale, dark or mottled?
Limping?
Did you ever feel her crop?

 

[333113]

Here's a useful resource to look up chicken symptoms.

Search for "Merck veterinary manual" plus the symptom description. This should give you links to the online Merck Veterinary manual, which most vets use if they are not treating chickens regularly.
This is according to my vet, who does treat chickens regularly!

 

[333113]

Still, so sorry for your loss. Isolating sick or maybe-sick chickens is always a good idea.