[samuria]

 this morning i let the hens out as usual, all seemed well. and started tucking into there
food. i went out with the dogs and was back about 2hrs later, only to find
one of the buff orpingtons just laying on its side still quite warm
no signs of being attacked by anything, and no  tracks in the pen.....
the few buffs i have are about 5yrs old now.
could it just have been old age?

[New shoot]

Perhaps, or maybe an underlying issue like her heart that just caught up with her.  I have a few drop like that over the years, but unless you pay a vet to investigate, there is no way to know for sure.

It is never nice, but at least you know she had a good happy life with you until then.

[samuria]

  thanks.. thought it might be something like a heart problem.
had the buffs from 1 day old just part of our daily life ....