Two mama hens died at the same time

[ButterflyCR2]

I have 2 game hens and rooster and between the two girls they sat and laid 6 baby chicks 2 weeks ago and have been healthy and active. I went up today to do my regular rounds (I also have a goat, and additional coop with bigger egg layers next to coop) and both mama hens were dead. No feathers missing, no wounds that I could tell.. literally nothing. Like they just feel over and died.. which I know can be common.. but TWO at the same time??? While all 6 babies are still fine as well as the rooster... Ideas???

 

[sourland]

Any possibility of a massive mite infestation? It sometimes happens with setting hens that they become severely debilitated to the point of dying.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Sorry for your loss. Had they been broody for a long time before they sat on the eggs? Could they have gotten too debilitated sitting, or gotten too hot in the coop? Are there any poisonous plants near them?

 

[ButterflyCR2]

Welcome to BYC. Sorry for your loss. Had they been broody for a long time before they sat on the eggs? Could they have gotten too debilitated sitting, or gotten too hot in the coop? Are there any poisonous plants near them?

Welcome to BYC. Sorry for your loss. Had they been broody for a long time before they sat on the eggs? Could they have gotten too debilitated sitting, or gotten too hot in the coop? Are there any poisonous plants near them?

The coop is pretty airy so I don't think so on the too hot. Nor plants, I've got it pretty well cut back around them. And they weren't very broody before hand, that's what I love about game hens.. they really just know and it's always 21 days almost to the minute. And face been extremely active since everyone hatched (and they all fit so within 48 hours) I thought about a poisonous snake, but it's still odd to me that rooster is fine and babies are fine. There was a slight vocal rucus yesterday evening but it sounded more like my buffer girls laying an egg