Whole flock gone

[Petunia Lynn]

I am so so sorry. Were they injured that you could see? Feather piles? Was the coop door open? Pictures of the setup?

How is the ventilation in the coop?

 

[Sally Winter-Swink]

Hello. I am looking to see of anyone might have a clue to our mystery. Yesterday evening we went out to the coop to collect eggs and all 12 hens and our 1 rooster were dead in the coop. None of them in the run. They were all on one side of the coop and it was the strangest thing. No indication of a predator. They're all different ages, the oldest being 3 years and the youngest not even a year.

They had stopped laying for several months, so we added in black sunflower oil seeds, all stock sweet feed, and catfish food pellets. Within 2 days they started laying again. This was a little over a week ago. My thought initially is if it were poison, then wouldn't they be scattered through out the run and the coop?..and they all died the same afternoon... any thoughts?

That's probably the work of a dog. We had it happen, lost five of our seven RIRs. Hens will suffer heart attacks from trauma. They don't have to be torn up. One of our survivors hid and was okay but did not lay for six weeks. The other survivor was badly hurt but made it. (BTW, the dog came back but is no more, thanks to my husband.)

 

[Franklinridgefarms]

Didn’t read through all the posts. My first suspicion would be minks or weasels. They could get through chain link easy, and could kill a bunch of chickens in one attack.

 

[LonestarVol]

Hello. I am looking to see of anyone might have a clue to our mystery. Yesterday evening we went out to the coop to collect eggs and all 12 hens and our 1 rooster were dead in the coop. None of them in the run. They were all on one side of the coop and it was the strangest thing. No indication of a predator. They're all different ages, the oldest being 3 years and the youngest not even a year.

They had stopped laying for several months, so we added in black sunflower oil seeds, all stock sweet feed, and catfish food pellets. Within 2 days they started laying again. This was a little over a week ago. My thought initially is if it were poison, then wouldn't they be scattered through out the run and the coop?..and they all died the same afternoon

Have you disposed of the bodies yet? It would be instructive to see a photo of how you found them.

A predator would panic the chickens. You would find them all over the place, even out in the run, especially with the door still open.

If you've disposed of the bodies, I'm afraid any further discussion will just be guessing since there are no clues to develop. Also, a body could be sent to a lab for a necropsy and cause of death would probably be discovered.

Food toxins kill, but will not kill every chicken at exactly the same time.

Sounds like a kid with a pellet gun.

 

[Jerry Dog Man]

A weasel can fit through chain link

 

[Love my hens 21]

Hello. I am looking to see of anyone might have a clue to our mystery. Yesterday evening we went out to the coop to collect eggs and all 12 hens and our 1 rooster were dead in the coop. None of them in the run. They were all on one side of the coop and it was the strangest thing. No indication of a predator. They're all different ages, the oldest being 3 years and the youngest not even a year.

They had stopped laying for several months, so we added in black sunflower oil seeds, all stock sweet feed, and catfish food pellets. Within 2 days they started laying again. This was a little over a week ago. My thought initially is if it were poison, then wouldn't they be scattered through out the run and the coop?..and they all died the same afternoon... any thoughts?

Have someone test the catfish pellets and feed. It could have had mold.

 

[john folger]

Hello. I am looking to see of anyone might have a clue to our mystery. Yesterday evening we went out to the coop to collect eggs and all 12 hens and our 1 rooster were dead in the coop. None of them in the run. They were all on one side of the coop and it was the strangest thing. No indication of a predator. They're all different ages, the oldest being 3 years and the youngest not even a year.

They had stopped laying for several months, so we added in black sunflower oil seeds, all stock sweet feed, and catfish food pellets. Within 2 days they started laying again. This was a little over a week ago. My thought initially is if it were poison, then wouldn't they be scattered through out the run and the coop?..and they all died the same afternoon... any thoughts?

 

[The Truth Is Out There]

I'm so sorry for your loss. What a mystery! Is it possible a poisoned rodent got into the coop and the chickens ate it?

This could happen! I hope you can figure it out so you don’t worry about your new babies your husband is trying to hatch.
:0(

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

Please update with anything from the vet or testing. This is so strange. I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[WildHair]

a weasel will kill the entire flock but they eat the heads and necks. they're not capable of sucking so they dont suck eggs or blood like some think