Sudden Hen Death, No Symptoms.

[urbanchixpdx]

Quote:
I'm really not sure. The vet said that during the season-change, the way chickens burn calories drastically changes. If you look up "fatty liver disease" you'll find some references. The doctor also told me a story of a lady who lost half her flock (about 4 birds) because she was feeding them handfuls of sunflower seeds in addition to their regular feed. Sad.

 

[chickensioux]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's often a mystery when one dies so young without doing a necropsy. When I lost a healthy 1 year old and took her for a necropsy it revealed that she had a tumor on her spleen and it had ruptured. So sometimes no matter how well taken care of they are, you will have a loss that is totally out of your control.
Again, so sorry.

 

[Sissy]

so sorry. its difficult when you lose
a pet.

 

[hayjade]

Hi, I know this is an old thread that I am reviving but this may help someone out there. I searched for hen died and it led me here. My black australorp was found dead a few days ago. No signs, she seemed fine and then I found her dead. It was very very hot here and I thought she may have spend too long in the hen house laying and overheated. Having read through this thread it is also possible she was overweight. She was a very very big hen. One thing I will add though is that she was also high on the pecking order so just wanted to say that even though you are feeding all of the hens some leftovers, there may be one or two that are getting more than their fair share just because they are meaner and piggier.
just a thought!.

 

[dixieleo]

We lost our hen, Big Mama, yesterday. My girls were very upset...so was I. A question...someone told me today that if we picked she up alot. We killed her. Can we kill a hen by picking her up & putting her back in the pen a night? My 9 & 4 yr always put them up. They were gentle NOT rough with them. They know the hens are our babies. I feel really really bad if we had something to do with Big mama's death.

 

[Danceswithchicks]

If she was panting she may have been overheated or dehydrated. Sorry for your loss.

 

[dixieleo]

I was at work so I don't know. She has a favorite hole she lays in. It looks like she layed in her hole, put her down, closed her eyes, & just when to sleep.

 

[Ritalorraine]

Yesterday i found my gold laced wyandotte dead next to the nest in the coop. She had been sitting on the eggs and had one stuck to her feathers under her as i picked her up. The day before she was puffed up and lathargic and acting broody. She did not show any other signs of being sick. I had lost another hen to prolapse just before the winter set in a few months ago. That was totally different. Our weather pattern has been very warm, up to 60 and then down to -8 these past few days. I thought maybe at first the cold killed her! But, then she has endured far worse winters in the past. She was about 5 years old.