Found hen dead. Any ideas what happened?

Joined
Jul 1, 2020
Messages
11,906
Reaction score
37,063
Points
1,031
Location
Small town in Western Washington
My Coop
My Coop
This afternoon, I went out to the coop to check the on the chickens. Upon opening the coop, I found Scrappy Jr. dead in her nesting box. She's a Red Sexlink. I noticed nothing wrong with her before hand, she seemed absolutely fine.
the fact that she was in the nesting box make me think egg issue, especially with her breed. She's between 3 and 4 years old. I do offer OS, but ran out so hav been feeding lots of egg shells until I could go get more. I feed a Non-GMO All natural flock raiser. I like to feed flock raiser because its 20% protein. My hens have a history of getting protein deficiencies, we feed table scraps, so I don't like to feed less them 20%.
Her body was stiff when I found her, no blood or anything abnormal, just dead, with her head hanging over the edge of the box.
Ideas? Its probably about 70 degrees right now, they are free ranging and have access to water.
Other then egg issues I have no idea what could have gone wrong.
My family wouldn't be willing to do a Necropsy, and as much as I want to do a home one, I don't think I could do it myself.
Thanks in advance for your help!
 
This afternoon, I went out to the coop to check the on the chickens. Upon opening the coop, I found Scrappy Jr. dead in her nesting box. She's a Red Sexlink. I noticed nothing wrong with her before hand, she seemed absolutely fine.
the fact that she was in the nesting box make me think egg issue, especially with her breed. She's between 3 and 4 years old. I do offer OS, but ran out so hav been feeding lots of egg shells until I could go get more. I feed a Non-GMO All natural flock raiser. I like to feed flock raiser because its 20% protein. My hens have a history of getting protein deficiencies, we feed table scraps, so I don't like to feed less them 20%.
Her body was stiff when I found her, no blood or anything abnormal, just dead, with her head hanging over the edge of the box.
Ideas? Its probably about 70 degrees right now, they are free ranging and have access to water.
Other then egg issues I have no idea what could have gone wrong.
My family wouldn't be willing to do a Necropsy, and as much as I want to do a home one, I don't think I could do it myself.
Thanks in advance for your help!
High Production hybrids tend to have a shorter lifespan then non production breeds. I think Red Sex-links usually live for about 3-4yrs, on average.
 
High Production hybrids tend to have a shorter lifespan then non production breeds. I think Red Sex-links usually live for about 3-4yrs, on average.
Ya, that sounds about right. I'm honestly not to surprised because of her breed, she slayed a HUGE egg each day. Poor girl.
 
Ya, that sounds about right. I'm honestly not to surprised because of her breed, she slayed a HUGE egg each day. Poor girl.
One reason I don't get high Production breeds, & hybrids is because their lower lifespan.

I have an EE that lays extra large to colossal every other day.
 
One reason I don't get high Production breeds, & hybrids is because their lower lifespan.

I have an EE that lays extra large to colossal every other day.
I personally don't prefer high production breeds either. They don't live long, and I think its kinda cruel to make an animal lay so many eggs that it cuts their lives in half. I wouldn't buy them. My parents on the other hand do prefer those breeds, and all these older guys we've had before I knew a thing about chickens. Poor hybrids. :(
 
I personally don't prefer high production breeds either. They don't live long, and I think its kinda cruel to make an animal lay so many eggs that it cuts their lives in half. I wouldn't buy them. My parents on the other hand do prefer those breeds, and all these older guys we've had before I knew a thing about chickens. Poor hybrids. :(
I know how you feel. You don't need high Production breeds, or hybrids for egg Production for one, just a quite a few regular layers, that lay every other day. Heck, I'm getting about 2½ dozen eggs a day from my 32 hens. We have about 30 dozen eggs in the Garage.
 
The birds I have are:
Orpingtons, 4 Buff, & 3 Project Wheaten Crele, hens

2 Cuckoo Marans hens

2 Heritage Plymouth Barred Rock hens

A Black Copper Maran hen

2 Red JungleFowl hybrids

8 Silkie hens

2 Porcelain D'uccle hens

2 Mille Fleur D'uccles, one is laying.

3 light Brahmas

& Various mixed breeds.

I'm only counting the ones I know are laying.
 
I know how you feel. You don't need high Production breeds, or hybrids for egg Production for one, just a quite a few regular layers, that lay every other day. Heck, I'm getting about 2½ dozen eggs a day from my 32 hens. We have about 30 dozen eggs in the Garage.
Exactly! I'm getting bantams which I'm super excited about! I know they don't lay very much lol, but when my mom asks if they lat often, I just tell her yes haha! ;)
We already have 9, soon to be 10 ducks! How many more eggs do we need!
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom