Year old hen found dead

[banniste]

I found one of my 8 hens dead yesterday evening, in the chicken yard. When I left for work around 10:30 am, she was in a nest--presumably laying an egg.
There were no marks on her, and she had been gone for hours, as she was very stiff. I had not noticed any odd behaviors--she seemed normal the evening before--running for her share of fresh vegetables and fruits--particularly bananas.
I have had chickens less than a year. Is this normal for chickens to just die?

 

[tulie13]

I would say that they don't generally "just die", not at that age (assuming less than a year old?). You said you had them for less than a year, assuming you got them as baby chicks.

Do you know if this hen had been laying eggs successfully? She could have been egg bound or something like that. Sorry I can't be of more help. Do you have anyone who could do an "autopsy" for you? State Agricultural Extension? I believe it's called a "necroscopy". But they can cut her open and look for things like egg-binding and other issues that you may not have been able to notice.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[chickenhick]

I had a hen die suddenly like that. SHe was fine when she went to bed, and the next morning, I went out to let them out, and she was stiff as a board. The only thing I can think of is that previously, like about four months prior, she had worms and I neglected to do anything about it because I saw no other signs of worms in the other chickens and I saw no more signs of worms from her after that. But she may still have had them. So, maybe you shoud keep an eye out for worms in your other girls. Look at their poops. Sometimes the worms show up there. Sorry for your loss. It's a shock to see an active hen die suddenly.