Help please

[john2708]

So I found one of my orps dead today in the hut all the other hens were plucking the dead body and eating the feathers and when I grabbed the dead hen the cock started attacking it jumping on the body and pecking it lick crazy do you think the cock killed this hen

 

[Chuck]

The most likely thing is that the hen died a sudden, natural death which is not at all uncommon with chickens. The others were eating the feathers because they like the taste.
There are some aspects of keeping chickens that are surprising and unpleasant I'm afraid.

 

[john2708]

She was only young under a year old not even laid an egg yet

 

[Bickerton]

I lost one under 6 months old like this. Unfortunate but seems to happen.

 

[foxy]

I am sorry you lost your hen, it is quite upsetting when you find them like that, and yes chicken behaviour can be a bit of shock!

 

[chrismahon]

Sorry to hear that John. You need to make sure they have enough space as stress can cause this behaviour as it can sudden deaths.