Lost a sweet little hen this morning. Mystified (and bummed).

[lisajo]

I went out to the hen house to let out the chickies this morning, and found one of our sweet little hens dead in the chicken run. There were no signs of external trauma - no blood, nothing was broken. There have been no indications of any sickness in the flock. No lethargy, runny poop, runny noses - nothing. They all appear to be active, eating, drinking, busy, happy chickens. We have (aw, I guess I should say had) 4 Isa Browns, 4 Buff Orpingtons (2 a ended up being roos), and 4 Easter Eggers, all born last March. I let them out yesterday and they all went off happily, doing their chicken thing, and all were accounted for when we closed the coop last night. I did notice one of the Isa Browns was a little separate from the rest, but it looked like she had made a little nest in the bedding like they do when they're laying and she didn't seem to be in any distress, so we assumed that's what she was up to, and we went in for the night. When I came back this morning, she was dead. I have no idea what happened to her. My nine year old daughter got on the school bus in tears. Thoughts?

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry for your loss. Most of us have gone through the same experience before, and it can be common with a new layer. She could have had a weak heart or had some other internal problem. Sometimes they will show subtle changes in behavior or symptoms that we just don't notice. Without a necropsy that can be done by the state vet it is difficult to say why she died. It can be hard for kids, and hopefully the rest will all continue to be healthy.

 

[lisajo]

Thank you for your reply! I feel a little better knowing that it isn't an unusual thing for a young hen. I kept telling myself that I missed something, but maybe I didn't, after all.