Has my bird gone insane?

[Tagurit]

We don't understand what has just happened. We bought 7 Rhode Island Reds in the spring of 2015. This was our first experience of owning chickens. One chick died, two turned out to be roosters, which we gave away (cant have crowing), and two died for unknown reasons in 2017. This left us with two hens for the past 3 years. They have a nice solid coop inside of a 8' tall 15' x 20' chain link fenced pin which is completely covered with netting. The two remaining hens have lived together happily for the past 3 years. They have become my wife's pets, and she tends to them every day, rain or shine.
Yesterday, she went to tend to them and found that one had killed the other. Tonight, the remaining hen is sleeping outside the coop on the dirt.
These two birds have always been very affectionate to us and each other, have never fought, or stayed outside of their coop at night.
Any ideas on what is going on? Has this bird gone insane?
Needless to say, but my wife is very distraught and I wish I could provide some answer other than, " That's just nature".
I'm also wondering what to do with this "lone" bird.
Thanks in advance to any and all responses.

 

[The Happster]

Sorry for your loss!

What was the situation when you found her, & what makes you believe she was killed by the other hen?

Oh, and welcome to BYC.

 

[Lovem all]

Is it possible she too killed the other girls?

Also regarding the resent death, did the chicken who dies have any special needs or any injurys before the accident.

 

[Tagurit]

Sorry for your loss!

What was the situation when you found her, & what makes you believe she was killed by the other hen?

Oh, and welcome to BYC.

Thank you for the welcome...
My wife said she found her dead, all bloodied and tore up, as if loosing a fight. There is no way any predator could get in the coop as we have netting also wrapped around the base of the fencing 3' high. The only critters we have ever seen inside the coop was a King snake in the spring getting an agg and a squirrel after feed.

 

[LaFleche]

We don't understand what has just happened. We bought 7 Rhode Island Reds in the spring of 2015. This was our first experience of owning chickens. One chick died, two turned out to be roosters, which we gave away (cant have crowing), and two died for unknown reasons in 2017. This left us with two hens for the past 3 years. They have a nice solid coop inside of a 8' tall 15' x 20' chain link fenced pin which is completely covered with netting. The two remaining hens have lived together happily for the past 3 years. They have become my wife's pets, and she tends to them every day, rain or shine.
Yesterday, she went to tend to them and found that one had killed the other. Tonight, the remaining hen is sleeping outside the coop on the dirt.
These two birds have always been very affectionate to us and each other, have never fought, or stayed outside of their coop at night.
Any ideas on what is going on? Has this bird gone insane?
Needless to say, but my wife is very distraught and I wish I could provide some answer other than, " That's just nature".
I'm also wondering what to do with this "lone" bird.
Thanks in advance to any and all responses.

What makes you think that she killed her long time friend? If she was found pecking at the dead one this is by no means an indication that she killed her.

A chain linked fence leaves ample access to smaller predators that could have killed her and the other ones in the past. Marten, weasel, stoats etc. can squeeze right through. And raccoons can reach through and grab the chicken by the neck feasting on them while still alive.

If she is acting rather strangeley now this might just be a reaction to the shocking scene she had to watch while her friend was killed and she could not escape from the run.

Do not leave her outside, it was not her fault.


EDIT: You might want to set up a game camera to see the kind of critters that roam about your yard night and day.

 

[svh]

Welcome, and sorry for your loss .....

I would very carefully inspect the net covering, and perimeter for any breaches.

Weasels are good climbers, and can easily fit through chain link. I suspect the net covering to be a weak point. Coons will zip right through most netting with ease.

Good luck.

 

[Tagurit]

Is it possible she too killed the other girls?

Also regarding the resent death, did the chicken who dies have any special needs or any injurys before the accident.

"Is it possible she too killed the other girls?" ... No, the others were just lying dead inside the coop. Died over night. No sign of any fight or struggle. Someone told me they are known to have heart attacks, and that is what it appeared like.
There were no special needs, accidents or injuries to this one. They were both very happy and healthy, other than not laying any eggs for several weeks. (due to heat & age?). My wife said that she was all bloodied and tore up, as if she was in a fight.

 

[svh]

She most definitely was in a fight, probably with some sort of predator.

If it was a predator, it will be back. Make sure there are no breaches to your setup, and lock up the other girl securely at night.

Maybe set up a game cam, or similar.

 

[Tagurit]

What makes you think that she killed her long time friend? If she was found pecking at the dead one this is by no means an indication that she killed her.

A chain linked fence leaves ample access to smaller predators that could have killed her and the other ones in the past. Marten, weasel, stoats etc. can squeeze right through. And raccoons can reach through and grab the chicken by the neck feasting on them while still alive.

If she is acting rather strangeley now this might just be a reaction to the shocking scene she had to watch while her friend was killed and she could not escape from the run.

Do not leave her outside, it was not her fault.


EDIT: You might want to set up a game camera to see the kind of critters that roam about your yard night and day.

We did not see the survivor pecking at her. We also have plastic netting wrapped around the base of the pen up 3' to help eliminate entry. We do have raccoons fox and coyotes here, but no weasels. Not sure how far away from the fencing she was found. Hard to get details from my wife at this point.
As far as not leaving the survivor outside, she has never been anywhere other than in their pen and roaming the back yard while we were with them. I agree with the "Shock" factor being possible, but think that would keep her in the coop, as that is where they go when frightened.

 

[Lovem all]

I don't think the chicken did it and watch out for her cause whatever got your other girl could be coming back tonight