Nesting box smothering

[silkienewbie93]

this morning I found one of my chickens dead in the nesting box. When I checked our cameras to see what happened I noticed she was one of 3 chickens who slept in the same nesting box last night. I hadn’t noticed anything else wrong with her in the days prior.

Do you think this could be a case of nesting box smothering? I feel so bad for not noticing the three of them were sleeping in there.

 

[sourland]

It's a possibility.

 

[silkienewbie93]

It's a possibility.

I’m not really sure what I could’ve done to prevent it though? They had enough nesting boxes and plenty of roosting space that was higher than the nesting box.

 

[Mrs. K]

No, this is not your fault. Sometimes I swear they have a death wish. No not really, but they just get in a position, and get stuck. Truthfully I would expect a healthy active bird to get out of being smothered. So it could very well be, that there was a genetic ailment, that weakened her in a stressful situation.

Block of your nests at night, one really doesn't want them sleeping in the nests - just makes for a poop mess. That might encourage them to roost.

Mrs K

 

[silkienewbie93]

No, this is not your fault. Sometimes I swear they have a death wish. No not really, but they just get in a position, and get stuck. Truthfully I would expect a healthy active bird to get out of being smothered. So it could very well be, that there was a genetic ailment, that weakened her in a stressful situation.

Block of your nests at night, one really doesn't want them sleeping in the nests - just makes for a poop mess. That might encourage them to roost.

Mrs K

thanks, although I must admit it’s hard not to blame myself

 

[Mrs. K]

Nah, this really isn't your fault. This is just the luck of the draw. Some live in the very same conditions, and some don't. Chickens are really much more fragile than a lot of pets people get. You say 3 chickens...but how old are they?

 

[silkienewbie93]

Nah, this really isn't your fault. This is just the luck of the draw. Some live in the very same conditions, and some don't. Chickens are really much more fragile than a lot of pets people get. You say 3 chickens...but how old are they?

They’re 5 year old silkies

 

[Mrs. K]

Oh that surprises me, for some reason I was thinking they were chicks. However, I think a 5 year old bird is an old bird, could have died of old age.

 

[Bawkbok]

Wow that sucks. I'm sorry this happened. It's not your fault so don't blame yourself; I get that you feel responsible. They are going to sleep where they want and you can't be watching them all the time. If someone decided to sit on her head she should have been able to pull free.

 

[Perris]

some birds retire to nesting boxes when they are ill; you might want to check the condition of the other two.

Also, silkies' feathers don't insulate as well as normal feathers; has it been very cold or hot where you are?