Could my chicken haven fallen to her death? As anyone else experienced this? Warning-picture

[TheCopperCoop]

I went out to collect eggs this afternoon and I was devastated to find one of my 10 mo old Barnevelder hens dead beside our "chicken jungle gym". This is the first chicken death we've experienced and it was totally unexpected. I hadn't seen any signs of illness or lethargy, and I wonder if she fell (or was shoved off) the roost. It's just under 4ft from the ground and though there's intermediate heights and ramps up to the top, the hens often just jump right up onto and off of it. They've been around it since they were 4 mos old.
Her neck appears to be broken back and her one right wing was oddly stretched out.

I'm hoping it was the result of an unfortunate fall and not a secret sickness for the sake of the rest of my flock. She didn't seem to have any other traumas or external maladies. Has anyone else experienced a chicken dying from a misaligned landing?

Below is a picture of how I found her.

 

[RDchicken99]

Terribly sorry for your pullet! Is there anything she could’ve gotten her neck stuck under? I unfortunately have had hens break their necks sticking their heads under things. Curiosity killed the chook I suppose. How is the rest of your flock acting in case of sickness? Keep an eye out for duller eyes and sick poo.

 

[nuthatched]

Im sorry for your loss. She likely didn't break her neck or fall, chickens necks are often floppy after death. sometimes chickens just die from heart defects or strokes.the first one is always the hardest.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

**Doles out the Hugs** I've got issues with my quail. I feel your pain.

 

[vall]

It's unlikely but possible - a couple years ago I had a quail escape from a 4' high pen and land perfectly wrong on her neck. She was dead instantly. Normally my escapees survive that fall just fine.

 

[TheCopperCoop]

Terribly sorry for your pullet! Is there anything she could’ve gotten her neck stuck under? I unfortunately have had hens break their necks sticking their heads under things. Curiosity killed the chook I suppose. How is the rest of your flock acting in case of sickness? Keep an eye out for duller eyes and sick poo.

I don't think she got her neck stuck anywhere. I had a different Barnvelder who ripped up her neck pretty bad after getting it stuck in a crack in our fence - she survived and is healed, Since then we've taken great care to eliminate any crevices or sharp edges in or near the run.

It feels awful when they get sick or hurt and its something I could have prevented. The rest of the flock looks as perky as usual but I'll be keeping a closer eye on them over the weekend. As sad as I am for losing our sweet Nutmeg, I'm hoping it was an isolated incident

 

[TheCopperCoop]

Im sorry for your loss. She likely didn't break her neck or fall, chickens necks are often floppy after death. sometimes chickens just die from heart defects or strokes.the first one is always the hardest.

Thanks. I agree, after posting I did a closer, gloved examination and don't think she actually broke her neck. Still nothing externally obvious came up while checking her out I think she probably passed away while on the roost and then fell off based on how she landed and the way the ground appeared there. My husband and I have often talked about installing an outdoor camera on the run to see what they get up to while we're away and I think we're definitely going to do so now.

 

[Lor]

Sorry for your loss. She is a beautiful bird.

 

[TheCopperCoop]

Two weeks past, and relieved to report no other issues with the rest of the flock. Thanks for all the kind words.

 

[Lor]

Two weeks past, and relieved to report no other issues with the rest of the flock. Thanks for all the kind words.

That's good to hear.