my hen suddenly died yesterday

[vlinter]

Hi Everyone,
I wondered if any of you could give me any clues as to why my seemingly strong and healthy rhode island red suddenly died yesterday. The only clue she gave me was earlier in the day she sort of sneezed or coughed a couple of times. That was it! I found her dead, without a mark on her, several hours later.

She is one of 3 free range, backyard hens, all good layers. So sad! She was between 3 and 4 years old.

Thank you for any thoughts on this.

 

[chickensioux]

You know that's the odd thing with poultry, one day they seem fine and the next they can just go. I had a hen that was perfectly fine and then later I found her laying dead under a bush. When I took her to the vet for a necropsy, she had died of a ruptured tumor on her spleen. She was just a year old. Sometimes I think they have things going on internally that just take them. They mask any illness or pain until its too late. So sorry for your loss.

 

[77horses]

I agree with chickensioux. Usually, if no physical signs are noticeable, then there's a problem internally.
So sorry for your loss.

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

So sorry for your loss

 

[MikasGirl]

I just had two of my flock die suddenly so I truly do feel your pain and am sorry for your loss. Apparently there has been a recent feed contamination. Our chicken was sent in for a necropsy and she had visceral gout which sometimes is due to moldy feed. I would suggest sending her in for a necropsy. Good luck!

 

[vlinter]

Thank you all for your kind words. It's good to know there's folks out there who care and who are so knowledgeable about chickens!!