Hen Suddenly Died

[Denisea3465]

I am so sad and bewildered. I had four hens left after foxes took eight of our flock one night several weeks ago. I went out to close the pop door tonight and could hear a hen making a slight ruckus of clucking and wind-flapping, sounds I hear often as they are getting up into the roosts.

When i came around the corner I saw her flopping around on the ground beneath the roosts and she died within a minute. I feel just . I can’t see any signs of injury and she was out in the yard with us all day, acting completely normal and happy.

Could she have hurt herself by falling? The top roost is quite high, about 7 feet. I have several at random heights a bit like a tree so they can jump up from one to the next and she is always on the top with her three sisters.

She was 4 years old and the last of her line, as her parents have both died. They were all so gentle and sweet and I am honestly heartbroken. I’ve lost so many in such a short time.

I just can’t imagine what could have happened and am now just beating myself up for more going out even two minutes earlier, maybe I could have prevented whatever happened.

 

[sourland]

Sudden death is generally not caused by an infectious agent. Very likely a heart attack or fatty liver caused her death. I doubt there is anything you could have done for her.

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

I am so sad and bewildered. I had four hens left after foxes took eight of our flock one night several weeks ago. I went out to close the pop door tonight and could hear a hen making a slight ruckus of clucking and wind-flapping, sounds I hear often as they are getting up into the roosts.

When i came around the corner I saw her flopping around on the ground beneath the roosts and she died within a minute. I feel just . I can’t see any signs of injury and she was out in the yard with us all day, acting completely normal and happy.

Could she have hurt herself by falling? The top roost is quite high, about 7 feet. I have several at random heights a bit like a tree so they can jump up from one to the next and she is always on the top with her three sisters.

She was 4 years old and the last of her line, as her parents have both died. They were all so gentle and sweet and I am honestly heartbroken. I’ve lost so many in such a short time.

I just can’t imagine what could have happened and am now just beating myself up for more going out even two minutes earlier, maybe I could have prevented whatever happened.

I am SO sorry for your loss. I hope you find out what happened with the miss.

 

[Perris]

It could have been any number of things, and it was not your fault. Enjoy your fond memories of the good times with her instead of assuming a false responsibility for her passing.