why did my hen die?

[TeriS]

I went out to the coop yesterday, and my 3 1/2 year old hen was laying by the water dish w/ her head tucked down and eyes closed. She was dead- the day before noticed no problems whatsoever. She looks perfectly fine. Any ideas on why she might have died? She had been laying fine as well- about 4 per week from her. Please help! My other 11 hens look and act fine as well.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Seriously, it could be a hundred different things.
When nothing is obvious a necropsy can help but even then it could be inconclusive.
When a seemingly healthy bird dies, it's important to keep a close eye on the others.
Good luck.

 

[teach1rusl]

Sorry about your hen.

When there are no symptoms to suggest an illness or injury, it's almost impossible to determine why a chicken died. When a bird appears otherwise healthy, I always assume stroke, heart or organ failure, or broken neck. Even if you do a necropsy, there's no guarantee you'll find the issue, even if you know how everything is supposed to look.
Your other hens are most likely just fine...

 

[TeriS]

I checked- no broken neck, and I'm afraid if I did a necropsy I just wouldn't know whaat I was looking for- not sure how things ARE supposed to look, so....I'll just assume that she had a stroke or heart attack and watch my other hens closely. Just worried now that her best friend will be depressed now that Penny died. They were always together....They were my 2 oldest hens. Thanks for the advice, and thanks for the condolences.

 

[ozark_chickies]

Sorry for your loss .It is sad, but it happens sometimes. DH found one of my hens dead in the hen house last week. She showed no signs of injury or illness, and the day before seemed fine. I had even held her a few days before, and again she seemed fine. I chose not to necropsy. Because my granddaughter was visiting, we had a funeral instead.