I Found One Of My Hens Dead This Afternoon..

I only have three hens now, a Welsummer that is about 5 and two Hi- Lines that are about 18 months old.

They were fine this morning at 7am when l let them out in the garden but when it rained, l put them back in the run. l went to see them at approx 4pm and one was dead on the ground in the run.

I have to say, l shed a tear as they are lovely little friendly hens and there was no sign of any illness. Her friend, who l got at the same time, looks so forlorn and seems to be looking around for her.

It’s a mystery and maybe it was a sudden death, l don’t know?

I don’t suppose anyone has any knowledge about hens.

Re: I Found One Of My Hens Dead This Afternoon..

That a shame Art.
Nice birds are Welsummers, nice brown eggs.

Did you examine the body? Did you feel the crop to see if it was full of liquid or hard and solid?
Did you feel her breasbone and see if she was thin? Or look at the vent to see if there was any 'runs' or blood, or an egg stuck?

There are quite a few things it could have been, including just age or eaten alive by Red Mite even.
Are you sure of their age when you bought them?

I would check the others in the morning if I were you.

Re: I Found One Of My Hens Dead This Afternoon..

Mups, l couldn’t examine her properly. l was too upset.
There was no blood. She’d laid an egg this morning as she always does every day, never misses.
I had noticed a few red mites lately on the perch but l had treated all the hens and cleaned out the coops and treated the perches.

What l did notice about her dead body, one leg was straight down but the other was bent and tucked underneath her as if she only had one leg..

I bought her from a reputable poultry breeder who lives near me. He is thought highly of in the ‘poultry world’. I have had hens from him before and one of them an Ancaura lived until she was well over 9 years old.

Maybe, because the two young ones were Hi-Lines/Hybrid and are only bred to produce lots of eggs, they burn themselves out?

Re: I Found One Of My Hens Dead This Afternoon..

Aww... sorry to hear that Art, how sad

Re: I Found One Of My Hens Dead This Afternoon..

Thank You, Mags.
It was the shock and that it was so unexpected..

Re: I Found One Of My Hens Dead This Afternoon..

I know nothing about hens but I do know what it is like to lose a pet. Nothing wrong in shedding a tear or two. So god bless

Re: I Found One Of My Hens Dead This Afternoon..

My apologies, I thought it was the Welsummer who died, but now I understand you meant one of the Hybrids - ( never heard of the term Hi-line before).

'Tis true what you say about hybrids being bred purely as egg-laying machines, and they don't usually have the life span of the older type pure breeds.

I can't suggest anything else really, it is difficult without knowing her.
Poor old thing, but I am sure she had a good life with you.

Re: I Found One Of My Hens Dead This Afternoon..

I’m so sorry for your loss Artangel.

Re: I Found One Of My Hens Dead This Afternoon..

So sorry Art perhaps she had just come to the end of her days Dear little bird I am sure she had a good life with you .

Re: I Found One Of My Hens Dead This Afternoon..

A thoughtful post which am sure will be appreciated.