RIP Godiva, gone too soon :( pic heavy

[cat_named_noodles]

Went out today to let the birds out and had a really bad feeling since only 4 came running out into the yard. I was hoping she was just laying an egg, but there she was, lying on the ground in the run, as if she were just taking a nap. But Godiva, my SLW, was pale, stiff, and lifeless. I carefully picked her up and looked over her body, but saw no signs of struggle or injury. She was only 7 months old. Maybe it was the heat, or a heart attack, all I know she's gone, and I won't be getting anymore light brown eggs or chicken cuddles from her. I miss her so.
RIP Godiva "G"

her first egg:

 

[ske1806]

So sorry to hear about your loss. That is just wrong! Why would a seven-month old chicken die out of the blue? Experts?

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

It was very likely this heat we're having. I have been hearing of ALOT of chickens dying the past few weeks from this heat wave and humidity - and it tends to be the heavier breeds - brahmas, standard cochins, wyndottes, buff orphs, etc... I am thinking they have so much meat and feather fluff its harder for them to cool down.

my poor little silkies are having a tough time of it - i'm refilling water or adding ice 3 times a day - and my coop is smallish and the back completely comes down (whole wall) so i've been leaving the back wall laying down to let the mama hen and broody hen have some fresh air circulation and stuck a fan out there today since we hit 97 with a 107 heat index - only worse tomorrow.

I am sorry for your loss and

 

[WhiteLeghorn]

I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[vnploveschickens]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[joletabey]

I am SO sorry you lost your beauty- what a lovely hen! This heat is really rough on our feathered kids.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

What a lovely hen! So sorry...it's always so hard to lose them

 

[speckledhen]

She could be my Lacy's twin. Lacy was the very first hen I ever lost, to reproductive issues, but we didn't know that till we opened her up. My SLW girl was just over two years old, though. I think that hatchery Wyandottes are prone to egg peritionitis, as many hatchery girls seem to be. I lost two SLWs and a GLW after that. I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[cat_named_noodles]

Thanks everyone...I am thinking heat as well. I have one 3 gallon waterer and a 5 gallon waterer and 3 areas covered for shade and there's at least 3 areas where they dust bathe regularly. But I guess it wasn't enough. She was a hatchery bird too, so perhaps it was a genetic thing from inbreeding or who knows. I know it wasn't from being egg bound as she had laid an egg the evening before...
Thanks again everyone for the condolences.

 

[Kimchi]

!!!
I'm so sorry! I know just how you feel. Snicker-doodle, my first hen died recently to, I have no clue what killed her. But I feel it's my fault.