Lost one of our girls, what happened?

[kac266]

Hi all, I know this has been talked about before but I cant find the thread.

This is our first time with chickens, we got them (6) in April as teenies, they all started laying at 18 weeks. They have been very healthy from day 1.

This morning my daughter went out to do her usual, feed, get eggs ETC and Miley was laying under the roost, stiff as a board. From looking at the poop piles all lined up it appeared she had died last night as under her roosting spot there was only a couple of poops.

We havent changed anything, could she have had a heart attack?

We are so sad with loosing her

Any ideas?

 

[chicken farmer 1997]

pics of coop/ pen, and passed hen.

 

[CMV]

Sudden unexpected deaths are not uncommon in poultry. It just happens sometimes. Chickens will hide any signs of weakness/injury/illness, so it is very difficult at times to establish a chicken is even ailing until they suddenly drop dead. Monitor the rest of the flock for signs of infection, but don't panic. A sudden death could mean nothing more than the bird had a bad heart or a reproductive malfunction that caused her death.

Sorry for your loss. Good luck with the rest of the flock.

 

[chicmom]

So sorry to hear that! Yes, she could have had a heart attack or a stroke......These things do happen with chickens.