Dead Hen

[MTP55]

What would cause a hen to seemingly just drop dead? None of them were acting strange when I left for work this morning but when I went to collect eggs just now one was dead in the coop. No signs of foul play. It looks like she just fell over.

 

[chrissynemetz]

How old was she? When was the last time she laid an egg? Some reproductive issues can sneak up on you, and it's possible lose a hen without ever realizing anything was wrong.

 

[MTP55]

How old was she? When was the last time she laid an egg? Some reproductive issues can sneak up on you, and it's possible lose a hen without ever realizing anything was wrong.

About a year and a half. I usually get 13 or 14 eggs a day out of 15 hens right now. I threw some grass clippings in today from the weed whip last night but there shouldn't have been anything bad in them. They're in a run and coop that could fit twice as many birds and they've never been violent as they all were raised together from day one. Even the rooster is friendly. Maybe she did get egg bound. She wasn't malnourished by any means we have our local elevator make feed for us in bulk. They've been at it for a couple generations so I would say nutrition is up to snuff.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Is there any place around where you could have a necropsy done?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What would cause a hen to seemingly just drop dead? None of them were acting strange when I left for work this morning but when I went to collect eggs just now one was dead in the coop. No signs of foul play. It looks like she just fell over.

I'm sorry to hear about your hen
Unfortunately, without a necropsy/testing, there is no way to know the cause of death.
If you still have the body, you can refrigerate it and send it to your state lab.
https://www.animalhealth.msu.edu/
Alternatively, if you are up to it, you can perform your own informal necropsy to see if there is anything obvious. Take photos of what you find and post them here on your thread or on the necropsy thread and we will try to help you figure it out. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ning-contains-graphic-necropsy-photos.823961/