2 Hens dead a few days apart!

[a_harrison9]

I went to the coop Saturday morning, and I found a hen dead in the nesting box. She was perfectly fine the day before. She was dust bathing, running around etc. She did come to the nesting box the day before while I was in the coop and she was singing an egg song but never laid her egg as she got off the nesting box and went about her way. Then, to my surprise the next morning, I found her dead in the nesting box. I looked for any signs of injury and there were none. Next, I found another hen dead today (Thursday) with her what appeared to be her abdomen coming out of her vent. I felt around and I did feel an egg inside her, so she might have been egg bound as well. She acted fine the day before and was running around and doing what a chicken does. All of hens get layer feed that is 16-% protein and have been fine up until this point. Both of these hens were about a year old. All of my other hens seem to be doing fine, but I thought that about my other two before they died. Is this just a coincidence that two of hens died so close together? I’m a doing something wrong? I am completely devastated and frustrated.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. How old were the hens that died? Did the first hen have any signs of pecking around her vent? Do you have any pictures of the second hen with the prolapsed cloaca? Was she pecked around her vent or prolapse? Are you feeding everyone layer or an all flock feed, and do you offer crushed oyster shell in a separate container?

 

[a_harrison9]

Sorry for your loss. How old were the hens that died? Did the first hen have any signs of pecking around her vent? Do you have any pictures of the second hen with the prolapsed cloaca? Was she pecked around her vent or prolapse? Are you feeding everyone layer or an all flock feed, and do you offer crushed oyster shell in a separate container?

They were both almost a year old. The first one had no signs of injury. I found her dead in the nesting box and she looked unscathed. As for the second hen, I do not have pictures of the prolapsed cloaca. I did however feel an egg when I attempted to do a necropsy. The second hen also didn’t seem to have any peck marks around the prolapse. I only give layer feed that is 16% protein and have been doing that for a year now with no problems. Do I need to incorporate oyster shells into their diet? I have only had chickens for about a year now, so I am still learning. Thank you for your response!

 

[GlicksChicks]

It sounds like they pushed hard to get the egg out and prolapsed, likely trying to lay in thennesting box.

I give mine 20% layer.

 

[a_harrison9]

It sounds like they pushed hard to get the egg out and prolapsed, likely trying to lay in thennesting box.

I give mine 20% layer.

I might either try to up the protein a little or give oyster shells. It just seems so random because my other hens lays perfect eggs. I have not once gotten a soft shelled egg or had any problems with hens getting egg bound until now. I usually am good at spotting sick hens because they isolate themselves or stand away from the flock. This was neither the case of these two hens as they were acting perfectly normally the day before. I am hoping for the rest of my flocks sake, that this was just a coincidence and not some underlying sickness that I need to worry about.

 

[GlicksChicks]

I might either try to up the protein a little or give oyster shells. It just seems so random because my other hens lays perfect eggs. I have not once gotten a soft shelled egg or had any problems with hens getting egg bound until now. I usually am good at spotting sick hens because they isolate themselves or stand away from the flock. This was neither the case of these two hens as they were acting perfectly normally the day before. I am hoping for the rest of my flocks sake, that this was just a coincidence and not some underlying sickness that I need to worry about.

They likely didn't feel too bad. They may have even been recently bound. But some hens push hard when they shouldn't, and it hurts them, sometimes killing them.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I might either try to up the protein a little or give oyster shells.

I'd try both. Offer crushed oyster shells and/or crushed eggshells free choice in a separate dish. Also have some Calcium Citrate+D3 tablets on hand in case you find another hen frequently sitting in the nest box and not laying any eggs.

 

[Eggcessive]

I know we say this a lot, but the best way to find a cause of death is to have your state vet do a necropsy as soon as possible after death. Here is a list of state vets:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...7IOlHOhP-eD8qMtZ70RNq6BMO9kVUn3x6so7q0Z_JgEr8

 

[a_harrison9]

I know we say this a lot, but the best way to find a cause of death is to have your state vet do a necropsy as soon as possible after death. Here is a list of state vets:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...7IOlHOhP-eD8qMtZ70RNq6BMO9kVUn3x6so7q0Z_JgEr8

I may try to get one done because I am honestly so worried. In your opinion, does this sound like a coincidence or something more underlying?

 

[a_harrison9]

I'd try both. Offer crushed oyster shells and/or crushed eggshells free choice in a separate dish. Also have some Calcium Citrate+D3 tablets on hand in case you find another hen frequently sitting in the nest box and not laying any eggs.

Thank you so much! I will definitely be purchasing. Are there any signs of an egg bound hen? My two hens showed really no signs that they were in distress the day before they died. I was honestly in pure shock because they were acting like normal chickens and then dead the next day. It worries me that I am missing symptoms.