[Lizziechick]

Hi
One of my chickens died this morning. She seemed absolutely fine yesterday, feeding normally and running around the same as ever - then this morning she was just lying there dead. What could cause a sudden death like that? Do I need to worry about my other girls? Gertie was only 2 1/2 so it cant have been old age...
thanks
Lizzie

[joyfull]

sorry she has died, it could have been old age depending upon the breed. Also hens can just die of a heart attack like any other living creature and if that is the case there is nothing you could have done. Without an autopsy you will probably never know the reason for her sudden death 

[Lizziechick]

Thanks... it was really sad. She was a hybrid hen, a Bovans Nera or something. She laid an egg every single day 365 days a year! Then last  November/December, it gradually tailed off and by Jan she wasnt laying at all - she wasnt eggbound though, we picked her up and felt her. She seemed fine otherwise, eating and drinking well, active and perky looking, so I put the fact that she'd stopped laying down to winter.

Youre right I'll probably never know what she died of.. I just hope the other two are OK...

[helens-hens]

Sorry to hear about Gertie  . At least it was quick and she wasn't suffering. I am sure your other girls will be fine, just keep an eye on them to be sure.

[Lizziechick]

Thanks Helen.

[Casey76]

Hi Lizziechick.  Sorry to hear about Gertie   unfortunately chickens can seem to up and die without any obvious external reason.

Be not alarmed, but keep a closer eye on your others for the next few days for any emerging symptoms

[viettaclark]

Sorry about Gertie
Sounds very like heart failure as there were no symptoms and it was quick.

[Sassy]

Really sorry to hear about your hen. Hybrids, usually because they lay so well often go at about her age. They are not as long lived as pure breeds who do not lay so prolifically. Bur remember she had a good life with you and was not shut up all her life in a tiny cage.

[ANHBUC]

   Sorry to hear about Gertie.  As others have said, nothing you have or haven't done and she was a lucky hen to have a caring owner.   

[bantam novice]

so sorry.