Dead hen-looks flat

[Jynuine]

If the others are fat and good and she was flat- I would suggest maybe she was smothered to death and slept on. We have found chickens this way, unfortunately, especially with our cornish. They have a tendency to lay on other chickens as they huddle.

 

[casportpony]

T

Since you say she was "flat" i am wondering if she had lost lots of weight? If she was down to skin and bones, you need to individually handle each chicken in your flock to check their body mass, look for lice and mites, check for dirty matted feathers and/or wounds.

Very good point! @Buzz88 , a barred rock hen should weigh 5-6 pounds. How much do you think your deceased hen weighed?

-Kathy

 

[enola]

If she ws extremely under weight, there are many reasons this could have happened. Do you think you could do a necropsy? We don't want the rest of your hens to become ill.

 

[Buzz88]

I am not sure on weight. In that range of 5-7lbs. I can't afford a necropsy and all other chickens appear well.

 

[casportpony]

I am not sure on weight. In that range of 5-7lbs. I can't afford a necropsy and all other chickens appear well.

Do you live in the US? If so, many states offer free or low cost necropsy services.

State Vets


Labs


-Kathy

 

[Buzz88]

One suggestion was she was smothered as they huddled together. This makes sense as they huddle so close snd there are 11 of them. She was definitely a little goofy, more so than the others.

 

[Areolyn]

It isn't really professional but you could do one yourself and look for anything obvious like colorations and stuff.

 

[Buzz88]

Good to know.