Dead chicken in the coop

[ZerkerChicken]

So went out to the coop just now and found one of my barred rock (Betty) dead on the floor of the coop. I didn't go out yesterday but my wife said she was acting a little funny on Wed but I did not go out there at all yesterday due to work. Have no idea why she passed was just fine Wednesday morning when I let them out of the coop. 2nd of our 3 barred to be gone in 3 weeks, the other one either got predator while free ranging or wandered off and we havent seen her since. My flock of 14 hens is now 12 makes me sad because I wanted to hatch out a few of their eggs one of them had a nice pink/blush egg.

Wild how quick things change, it wasn't a predator in the coop its sealed up tight. She was in the corner on the ground just laying there thought for a second she was just chilling in the dust but quickly realized that was not the case a second later.

 

[Debbie292d]

I'm really sorry for your loss of Betty. It's really hard sometimes, I know.

A lot of things could be possible. And sometimes, chickens just die as people do. She could have had a heart attack or some other ailment.

It may be too late now, but you can double-bag your deceased bird and put it in the refrigerator, then find someone you can take or ship her to do a necropsy. Those usually aren't too expensive, and then you'd most likely find out the cause. If you have a vet, they may do it, or here's a link to labs that will: https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Just to be sure, they are getting either a layer feed or all-flock, and have oyster shell in a separate dish?

 

[BoundlessLove]

This has happened once when I raised white leghorns. Went out and she was just lying there dead.
We had a bad thunderstorm the night before, so I assume it was a heart attack.
But just guessing.
Hoping you can find an answer.
I’m so sorry.

 

[ZerkerChicken]

I'm really sorry for your loss of Betty. It's really hard sometimes, I know.

A lot of things could be possible. And sometimes, chickens just die as people do. She could have had a heart attack or some other ailment.

It may be too late now, but you can double-bag your deceased bird and put it in the refrigerator, then find someone you can take or ship her to do a necropsy. Those usually aren't too expensive, and then you'd most likely find out the cause. If you have a vet, they may do it, or here's a link to labs that will: https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Just to be sure, they are getting either a layer feed or all-flock, and have oyster shell in a separate dish?

Yeah layer feed from my local mill 20% protein with calcium and I supplement calcium a few times a week with either theor shells crushed or from the feed store