Lost 2 of my 3 Chickens -- No Visible Sign of Disease

[Egz in the Hood]

I just lost the 2nd chicken of my small clan and can't figure out what is going on. The first chicken died probably three months ago -- went broody and never came out of it. Second chicken went the same way but much quicker. One morning I came out and realized she spent the night on the ground and not in her usual roost. Walked around that day just fine then started hanging out in the nesting box and lasted three days. There is no visible sign of disease or illness. None of my chickens had been laying since the first one started going broody.

I'd like to get more chickens but I am concerned that I am doing something gravely wrong and my new chickens will meet a similar fate. I have a large coop, nest and chicken run. I feed them organic pellets and greens when they are available. Any suggestions, advice, would be most appreciated.

 

[lauralou]

Oh Egz, I'm so sorry!

The only real idea that I have: Are you sure they were broody, or is it possible that they were eggbound? Now I've never had an eggbound hen, so I'm no expert... You might try the search function at the top of the page and check out that affliction.

You don't say where you are in your post. Could the second hen have succumbed to cold weather? Again, that's never happened in my flock, so not an expert.

I hope someone else will be able to give you more help than I have. I really just want to give you condolences.

 

[chookchick]

What lauraloo says sounds very plausible. If you are very brave (probably more than me!) you could cut open the hen you just lost and take a look around to see what might have caused her death. If you lose another one, be sure and put her in the fridge and arrange for a necropsy to be done.

I would also take a very good look at the rest of the hens for lice or mites, adequate weight, swelllings, etc...Make sure they are eating enough as many don't care for pellets. You could check their poo for worms, perhaps even have a fecal float done.