[snowie]

Yesterday, all of our chickens were running about fine. Especially 'Madge', a light Sussex, who we always described as being 'slightly hyper'.
We went away overnight, returning late this afternoon, to find Madge lying dead in the coop.
Completely unexpected, as much a death can be unexpected!
Her back end was covered in blood, (and some blood in the coop), and it looked as though her innards were coming out of her back passage.
Looking through this site and the internet, I suspect this may have been a 'prolapse'.
Never having experienced this before, so being unsure, can anyone with a bit more knowledge confirm that I am correct? Also, as she was okay yesterday, and we suspected nothing, have I missed something over the passed few days? Something which could have given me a clue as to a problem? She seems to have gone from being her usual self, to dead really quickly.
I should add that we're not sure if she had been laying recently, as she was the top girl for 'hiding the eggs'. In the barn, field, hedge. Everywhere but in the hen house!
Many thanks

[snowdrops]

Oh dear what a shock for you after your night away,not experienced with chickens really but I'm sure someone who is will be along to help.

[Norfolkgrey]

Sorry for your loss 

The cases I have come across of prolapse have not caused sudden death. I have had someone say about a similar issue recently and it was looking to be more a case of the birds weren't wormed. So when were your birds last wormed and was it with flubenvet? If you are worried for your other birds I would speak to your vet to see what they say as they will be able to run tests.

[Mum2mj]

One of mine went a similar way but was ill the day before & I think it had a broken egg inside as had been laying softies for awhile. Never pleasant, hope it wasn't too upsetting for you. 

[New shoot]

Oh dear    It does sound like a prolapse and unfortunately, the other hens may well have pecked at this and that could have led to her death from blood loss.  It can happen very quickly and if she was eating, drinking and behaving as normal before you went away for the night, there wouldn't have been any signs you could have spotted.

It is a shock for you, but even if you had been home and spotted it earlier, the only thing you could have done is take her to a vet to try and get the prolapse pushed back in.  This sometimes works, but if it popped back out, she would have to have been culled anyway.

In short, don't beat yourself up over it.  Chickens can go downhill very fast and often, by the time they show signs of illness, it is too late.  Concentrate on the wellbeing of the rest of your flock.  All you can do is look after them well and give them the best possible chance of a long and happy life 

[GrannieAnnie]

New Shoot is right, chickens are very good at hiding distress or illness.  In the wild they wouldn't want predators to know they are not 100%, so she could have been feeling poorly but not showing it.

Once the others saw her prolapse and starting pecking her, it could have been the shock as well that killed her.  Sorry for your loss, but don't beat yourself up about it.  Wasn't your fault!

[snowie]

Many thanks for all your replies and for your kind and supportive words.
From what you have said, and from other info on prolapse, I think this is the most likely cause of death.
She was wormed regularly each month as directed using 'Verm-X', as recommended by our food supplier. She was also the only one of our five chickens who occasionally laid a soft shelled egg, so there may have been a problem there.
(We know this as she was the only one who laid white eggs).
Anyhow, something new learned, and something to look out for in the future with our remaining girls.
Thanks again to all.

[GrannieAnnie]

Awww good luck with the others Snowie.  Of our last 5 girls, 4 of them will be 4 years old in June.  The last of the Shaver blacks I bred myself, and the last ISA brown will be 5 next month.  still getting 2-3 eggs a day from them, and still look in good health!

Hope your other girls do the same! X

[barley]

so sorry

I have only experienced a prolapse once in all my years of keeping chooks . it did not bleed but she was in an awful state so we had her PTS 

just recently I have had a hen with blood blisters on her chest that have burst causing a lot of blood loss and for 3 or 4 days she is really quite due to losing so much blood

so what I'm trying to say is with the prolapse and blood loss it was probably just to much shock for her in one go

I have kept chooks for over 10 years now and I still learn new things regards their health I have not seen before , and believe me I have seen some awful things but that's just nature I'm afraid

[Sassy]

So sorry about your hen, it is always distressing. Agree with New Shoot re cause. However, the efficacy of Vermex is not proven for worming and it may be wiser to use Flubenvet.