I just gave my mom 10 young RIR & EE hens. They are about 7 mos. old. Yesterday, she found one dead in the run with no obvious injury. The hen had food in her mouth, as she was at the feeder when she died. None of the other chickens are sick or hurt, and my flock is clean and very healthy. She did note a couple of "picked" areas on her head, like maybe she had been pecked two or three times. There appears to be no broken bones, neck is intact. Any idea what may have happened to this hen? I have no clue myself. She is wondering if her neighbor may have been involved, but I think that seems unlikely. However, they don't get along. I suggested she take off the feathers to look for wounds, but she can't bring herself to do that, and I am 4 hours away. Any suggestions? Could this chicken have choked? The run is NOT covered, I thought maybe hawk?
