Randomly lost a chicken

[Stedman]

I have six chickens that all appear to be very healthy and laying hens. Randomly one died today I didn’t notice any signs of anything wrong they are about a little over a year old. Does anyone have any similar situations or anything to look for?

 

[True Patriot]

If there were no signs of predators and health has been good, heat would be my first guess. Do you have roosters? What are their living arrangements and diet? Did she die overnight or during the day while active?

 

[True Patriot]

If any others fall ill or pass away consider sending the remains of for a necropsy. Usually a state university agriculture or veterinary extension will do one at little or no cost.

 

[Kiki]

X2 on the diet.
Have you ever had to deworm your flock?

 

[Kiki]

State labs and some pricing:
Necropsy and disease testing lab info

 

[Stedman]

If there were no signs of predators and health has been good, heat would be my first guess. Do you have roosters? What are their living arrangements and diet? Did she die overnight or during the day while active?

No roosters and it was during the day

 

[Stedman]

X2 on the diet.
Have you ever had to deworm your flock?

No I’ve never had to deworm them

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Has it been extremely hot outside? Heat stress can kill chickens. I’m so sorry for your loss! Bear hugs!

 

[Kiki]

What do you feed them on a daily basis?

 

[Eggcessive]

On occasion, I think it can be normal to lose a bird aopround a year old or even when they first start laying. I don’t have statistics, but I have lost a couple that just seemed healthy and later found them dead. I think heart problems are usually the cause. Later, I have started doing necropsies on older birds, just to look at the organs to see if the liver, heart, intestines, crop and gizzards were normal looking. Looking at some necropsy photos here can help later on if you do any. Sorry for your loss, and if possible , if you lose others get a professional necropsy by your state vet if the death seems unexplained.