Random Deaths--No Symptoms

[dowdlauren]

So in the last six months, three of my hens have died. No symptoms, not old or unhealthy. Literally up and running and happy one hour, dead the next. They were about 5 years old. Now, I've heard people say sometimes chickens up and die at random, but I don't buy it. I've had some hens (they're all bantams) who've been pushing 10-11 years and still healthy. BUT, the ones that have died, all died within a short amount of time, three of them. Not really a "just random death" thing. They were all sexed hens from My Pet Chicken too, so maybe there's a connection? Anyway, the environment is clear as hell. Coop cleaned regularly, no rats or birds, no illness, fed regularly and given wormer, etc.

What the--?

 

[Eggcessive]

Get a necropsy if you lose another one. Your state vet or poultry college may be able to do one on a refrigerated body. Reproductive problems such as cancer, egg binding, internal laying, and egg yolk peritonits are all common in todays hatchery hens.