First Dead Girl

[jomoncon]

I have (had) 8 RIRs that will be 2 years this fall. So far, they've all appear to be healthy, fat & sassy. This morning, when I went to check for eggs, I did my usual count of the girls. I counted 7 and thought that #8 was on the nest box. As I walked towards the coop, I saw #8 dead on the floor. She was one of my larger girls. A quick visual exam didn't show anything obviously wrong: no tearing or wounds, no swelling in her belly, just nothing.

After being on BYC for a few years, I realize that chickens just do die for no obvious reasons. I just thought mine were pretty young for this. Any thoughts?

I've tried very hard not to make pets of my girls, so I'm not too emotionally unset. Just sorry for the loss of one of my girls.

 

[David 584]

People do it too...

Sorry you lost one. I hate it when one dies, especially just up and dies. I feel like there was something I missed. I want to say "it's just a chicken" but I still fret over it a little. I've lost 5 to predation and I accidently sat the drinker on one twice brooding day olds. And a couple that just up and died.

 

[sharol]

That's what happened with my GLW. She was just dead. She looked perfectly healthy except that she was dead. No sign of injury or illness. Everyone said heart maybe. She was almost 2.

Sharol