Two hens dead in two days.

[Thaney Design]

At the beginning of the week, I had eleven hens. They were raised from chicks here, kept in coop/run, and at some point late last summer, I opened the run gate and never closed it again. They’ve been living happily free range on my six acres since then.

Laying eggs everywhere.

Hiding then everywhere.

So finally this week, I built a new enclosure. Put in proper nest boxes. Wanted to get them used to laying in the boxes, and planned to let them return to being free range soon.

Two days ago, my Golden Comet hen was dead on the ground of the enclosure. Today, one of the Australorps. Nobody seemed out of sorts when I was in with them.

Since being enclosed, they have all dropped off laying. Are they getting eggbound from the stress of no longer being free range?

I feel so horrible about it, and don’t want to lose any more.

 

[LizzzyJo]

Could there be any chemicals stored in the enclosure or used when constructing it? I’m brainstorming here. I don’t think the stress would kill her if she used to be confined off and on just last year. Did she have a poopy butt? Any signs of poisoning?

 

[Thaney Design]

The enclosure was built on a grassy area they used to free-range on. They are in metal mesh (a lot like chain link, not sure how to better describe it, and I used a few untreated 2x4s too. That’s really it... I’m so confused.

Is it possible they’re flying into the walls and/or ceiling and breaking their necks?

 

[LizzzyJo]

The enclosure was built on a grassy area they used to free-range on. They are in metal mesh (a lot like chain link, not sure how to better describe it, and I used a few untreated 2x4s too. That’s really it... I’m so confused.

Is it possible they’re flying into the walls and/or ceiling and breaking their necks?

Do you have a trail cam you can set up?

If they’re calm when you’re around and you haven’t heard commotion, idk. Predators scaring them into bashing the sides? Can you go and feel their bottoms to see if they’re egg bound? I’m not sure how to feel for a broken neck but I imagine you could.