Not sure why my hen died

[Rowdy Roos]

I had a hen acting a little sluggish and shy for a week , staying in the nest box a little later and figured she was hot then today I checked on her and she had yolk around her back legs and ants all over her so I rinsed her off and she died before I could get her cleaned up . She was laying around all day but I had no idea ants were on her . Any ideas on what could have caused her to get sick ? She was sick before the ants got on her.

 

[lavendermarie]

Could she have been egg bound?

 

[gtaus]

Sorry for your loss. I had three hens die on me last fall, and I never figured out why. That is frustrating. Are your other hens doing OK? Hope so.

 

[Opiumbrella]

I had a hen acting a little sluggish and shy for a week , staying in the nest box a little later and figured she was hot then today I checked on her and she had yolk around her back legs and ants all over her so I rinsed her off and she died before I could get her cleaned up . She was laying around all day but I had no idea ants were on her . Any ideas on what could have caused her to get sick ? She was sick before the ants got on her.

Sounds like EYP. She likely had an egg break Internally, or had one of several other issues that lead to egg yolk material in the peritoneal cavity. This causes a massive inflammatory reaction, and infection. And is mostly fatal if left untreated. I’m sorry that you lost your hen, even with treatment this is often fatal.

 

[dawg53]

In addition to what Opiumbrella stated, the ants probably had a part in it as well, especially if they were fire ants since you live in Georgia.