Unexpected Dead Chicken

[JoeG]

Had one of my best laying hens just lawn dart into the bottom of the coop about a week ago. From what I could see, it appeared she just fell straight down and broke her neck. really sucks since she was my most consistant layer and she laid the biggest eggs of the group. Anybody out there have this sort of thing happen? Weird, since she wasn't sick I just assume she tumbled off the high perch.

 

[All Henned Up]

 It's not uncommon for chickens to just die for no apparent reason.  If you had others  die it would be good to have them necropsied.

X2 and sorry for your loss.
Welcome.
Steve.

 

[MsChickenMomma]

Welcome to BYC! So sorry for the loss of your hen.

 

[sourland]

Hope that all is well with the rest of your flock - welcome to BYC.

 

[chickenboy190]

 

[VespaGirl]

I have had the same thing happen the past month. I went out to get my eggs and one of my girls (who is a bit over two years) was dead on the floor of the coop. She seemed totally fine before.

Now yesterday one of my leghorns went into the coop to roost but it was too early for bedtime. I told my husband it was odd. Especially since she slept in the tree next to the coop. No matter what we did (clipped wings, locking them in the coop, etc) she and the other leghorns sleep in the tree. So her in the henhouse on a roost was odd. Sure enough she was dead today.

My chickens eat organic food plus a ton of greens and fruits. They have a huge yard plus get to free range many days. Clean water. They live with two goats and have for the past two years. I don't know if this is "normal" in the land of chicken.

We have friends that have this happen all the time but we started with 16 and have had no predators or anything get any of our girls. And we live in the woods. Anything I am missing or is this the circle of life?

 

[cabinchicky]

Hello and welcome. So sorry to hear you lost one. Hugs to you!

 

[gander007]

Alright

So sorry about your loss and I do believe we have all had this happen before for no reason ......

 

[Mikokoke]

Found a dead ameruacana in the nesting box this morning. We took her out and she was pretty stiff. I like to check on them in the am and pm before going to bed to make sure they have water. We live in Scottsdale, AZ where the temps are in the upper 90s and low 100s. This is my flocks 2nd summer in the climate. We've recently moved and placed their coop on the east side of the property next to the house. Before they were on the west side between the wall and house and didn't get exposure to the sun. Now, they are exposed in the am. What do you think may have caused this death? Egg bound? It appears that she just fell asleep and didn't wake up. This is our first chicken to lose. The only thing that I have done differently since we moved, is that I have introduced them to alfalfa since we do not have our yard ready for free ranging. We used to let them out every evening and morning and they would work the grass and yard. Now, I have them cooped up in 5x10 run for 9 hens now.
Any thought or insight would be greatly appreciated!
Could it be our neighbors? We live in the Rio Verde area and it's a bit like the wild west here. My husband says he would not put it past them. I sure hope not. She was in the nesting box and maybe her neck was broken, because she was laying with head in an awkward position. I don't know what to think...