Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Atilla-the-hen]

I was shocked this morning to find my 3 year old hen who was perfectly healthy yesterday in her hen run prior to being let out,dead. I thought at first she was dust bathing in the sun as she often does, but on closer inspection she was dead. The other hens were fine, nothing could have got in and as I said before she was fine when I shut her in last night. Do they sometimes just die suddently.

[Lavenders_Blue]

Sorry to hear about your hen Sadly yes they can just die sometimes for no apparent reason. Unfortunately hens are not the most robust of creatures and they can also hide any illness very, very well, usually not showing any symptoms until they are quite poorly indeed. Please don't be worried that you might have missed any signs of illness, sometimes these things do just happen

[mimi5]

Sorry about the loss of your hen In answer to the question-Yes they do. Sometimes it's a heart attack or similar. As prey animals they will mask illness and try to appear normal. You don't say if she was a pure breed or hybrid as 3 years sounds like a good age My oldest hen is just coming up 3 years and I have sadly lost a few along they way all from various different things

 

How are the rest of your flock? Maybe just give them all the once over for peace of mind?

[Atilla-the-hen]

Thank you for your help. She was a Welsummer. As she was bottom of the pecking order, she was always last to eat, so I suppose I I wouldnt have noticed if she wasnt eating.