Help, lost a hen, not sure why.

[nittanyxi]

one of my 8mo old hens was just laying dead in the coop this morning. I have 21 total. 5 bantam and 16 standard.
I have no idea why she died. not predator related as the coop is secure and they don't free range.
It was one of the standard breeds. she had 5 toes looked like an australorp/faverolla mix. fully feathered, not being picked on. biggest bird in the flock. hadn't started laying yet. she looked fine yesterday and didnt' show any signs of being ill.It was very cold that last couple of nights but all the other birds look well.

Any ideas on what could have went wrong?
Still think it's ok to eat the eggs from the other hens?

 

[nittanyxi]

Anyone?

 

[labpac4]

So sorry for your loss; I just lost my first bird today too. It's a really rotten feeling! I'm sorry.

 

[cackleberrycoop]

Do you happen to remember what position you found her body in?

 

[F50myster]

maybe she was egg bound? i dont think they show any symptoms of being egg bound....they just stop laying and die

 

[nittanyxi]

she was just laying on her side in the coop. other than being dead she looked quite good.

 

[rearrolled]

thats brobly what it is

 

[puredelite]

Unfortunately that happens sometimes, not only with chickens but livestock as well and we may never know the reason why a apparently healthy animal just up and dies. Only sure way sometimes would be a costly necropsy by a vet. She may have choked on something or had something internally malfunction. Without any outward signs of trauma it is a hard thing to call. Know this is of no help but I am sorry for your loss...

 

[cackleberrycoop]

At this point, with the rest of your flock happy and healthy, I would not worry about eating the eggs.