Found her tonight

[JMotuzick]

So I go in early and today came home late. I came home and found our 23 week old bared rock dead in the corner of the coop:-(

Let me back up to last night, I had a bunch of running around to do and didn’t spend much time with them but did collect eggs and everybody seemed ok. I locked up the coop around 730, it gets dark around 6:15 these days. I did a quick count and all where there. The rock was on the ground not roosting like the rest. I picked her up and set her with the rest on the poll. She kinda flopped off and I figured she didn’t have a good grip. So up again and she was fine. One of the astrolops have her a not so nice hello like that hen Often does.

I closed up and went to bed. I thought nothing of it. This AM my wife let them out and didn’t do a inside the coop check or a count.

When I got home around 430 after letting the pups out I checked the girls. The rock was under the same spot I had put her last night. Not sure if she fell? Was pushed ? Or something else wrong with the flock?

Everyone else was out side I let them be and cleaned the coop and added fresh shaveings as I had planned. They staied out a bit later then normal but not super late.

Any advice or help would be great! Out of town for a weeding this weekend so I won’t be around much to watch them....

 

[Rob Tof]

What was her Age? Was she new to your coop? What was her pecking order?

 

[Kathy Golla]

Sounds like she was sick.

 

[mgbantams]

So, she didn't show any symptoms of disease? Also, chickens have a 5% mortality. Unless more of them die for what seems to be the same reason, you shouldn't worry about the rest of your flock.

 

[JMotuzick]

Like it said in the post above she was 23 weeks. She came about 4 weeks ago with the astrolops and a Rhode Island Red that are all 2 years old. He was getting out and sent them all our way. All of them seemed fine so I mixed them in, I’ve known the flock for a while so I didn’t watch or keep them separate. I don’t know her pecking order, not sure I have the time to watch and figure out every bird! She did Seam to be some what of a loaner thoug.

 

[Kathy Golla]

The rest may have been keeping her away from food and water.

 

[JMotuzick]

I didn’t notice any other symptoms

 

[JMotuzick]

2 feeders both always full. I did just switch from grower mash to layer pellets about a week ago. She is our youngest and I’m not sure if she was laying yet. Her comb was just getting nice and bright red.

 

[aart]

Bummer, sorry for your loss.
I'd bet she was ill, they hide illness pretty well until they are just about dead.
Easy to miss unless you spend a lot of time observing.

 

[JMotuzick]

Should I worry about the rest of the flock? Anything I can do.?