Hens fell off roost dead!

[murfsma]

I discovered 3 of my year or so old girls just dead on the coop floor. No sign of break in, no sign of injury and the rest of the flock is fine. They have been safe and sound in this very coop for years, no changes have been made and it wasn't especially hot or cold. Could something have scared them to death? This happened several months ago and remains a mystery to this day. Sure would appreciate any ideas or speculations!

 

[Mavrik]

Chickens do drop dead at one year old, but since there is three, I would suspect poison or mold.

 

[clogan98]

Why would chickens drop dead at one year old?

 

[7L Farm]

Something is wrong you need to have an autopsy done.Did they find some poison somewhere? Have you put out some chemicals of some type. I don't see three chickens just falling off the roost dead.

 

[Mattemma]

I found a RSL hen 2 years old dead in the coop this spring.With 3 I would think something was up too. If you have the money get one tested.Perhaps mold?

 

[Indianjones]

Probably Rat Snake. I lost three of mine and couldn't figure it out why they were dying until I caught the **** snake with my full size Hen in its mouth but had to back out because he could not swallow past the shoulders. When I would find them dead they had no injury and would be laying on their side. The only thing was they had a clear slimy layer around the neck where the snake tried to swallow but couldn't. The slime had dried on some of them but left a shine on the feathers around the neck. I had no Idea what was going on until I discovered the snake in action. Check on them late at night, if you have snakes in the coop, thats probably the culprit.