Mysterious Death of Hen

[mdutch]

This morning we found a dead hen in our yard. Her neck was broken, she was still warm which told us that it had happened recently. I don't think it was any sort of predator as I was in the yard at the time. We are thinking that it was possibly our young speckled Sussex cockerel as the hens normally fight to get away from him. Before I turn him into stew, I'd like to know if anyone else has heard of a rooster breaking a hen's neck?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

I'm sorry to hear about your hen.

It's possible that she may have broken her neck while trying to avoid your cockerel. There is no way to know for sure if he could actually break her neck or not.

If you have a way to separate him for a while until he matures, that may be helpful.