[peskypixie]

 Found one of the hens on her side dead in the run today. The other 7 were happily pecking round her, stiff as a board - no marks, eyes closed and was fine this morning. Any ideas, are the others at risk? Not lost one before, rather sad. They are about 8 months old and are all in lay. Their elderly parents live in the adjacent run are are all fine. Would welcome any advice on this one. Thanks.

[Aunt Sally]

I wouldn't worry as she was quite well previoisly.  Sudden deaths like this are not usually serious, unless you are the dead hen of course.  It could probably have been a heart attack or stroke - not uncommon.

[peskypixie]

Ok, thanks Sal. Fingers crossed she's the only one with a weak ticker!

[Aunt Sally]

Keep an eye on the rest !

[joyfull]

so sorry about the loss of your hen, I had one die the other week in the nest box, no sign of any problems so like yours was probably just her heart  .

[peskypixie]

Thanks Joyful and Sal, rest all seem fine still, so yup, I am hoping she was a 'one off' - poor chick!!

[GrannieAnnie]

Your hen was only 9 months old too Joy!

[joyfull]

I know and she was laying about 5 eggs a week and was (or appeared to be) in good health, the other 3 appenzellers are all fine so can only assume (without doing an autopsy) it was a heart attack 

[Flowerpower136]

Sorry for your loss.
I found Alice dead in the nest box the other week.  First one I've lost, and like you, no idea why she died.  So I understand your concerns about the others.
I kept going down there every half hour to do a head count, just to check the others were OK.