Chickens can die from various causes, including disease, poor nutrition, environmental stress, predators, and accidents.
Finding a dead chicken in your coop is heartbreaking. While some deaths are natural, many can be prevented with proper care. Understanding why chickens die helps you protect your flock.
1. Predator Attacks
Predators kill more backyard chickens than any other cause. Common chicken killers include:
- Raccoons (often kill multiple birds in one attack)
- Foxes (take one bird at a time)
- Hawks (target chicks and small breeds)
- Owls (attack at night)
- Dogs (may kill without eating)
Signs of predator attacks:
| Predator | Tell-Tale Signs |
|---|---|
| Raccoons | Missing heads, torn bodies, scattered feathers |
| Foxes | Single bird missing, few feathers left behind |
| Hawks | Piles of feathers, no body (carried away) |
Prevention: Secure coops with 1/2″ hardware cloth, install automatic coop doors, and use predator deterrents.
2. Disease & Illness
Common Fatal Chicken Diseases
- Marek’s Disease: Causes paralysis and tumors (vaccinate chicks)
- Avian Influenza: Highly contagious respiratory disease
- Coccidiosis: Bloody diarrhea from intestinal parasites
- Fowl Cholera: Sudden death with blue combs
Warning signs of sick chickens:
- Lethargy or isolation
- Puffed-up feathers
- Decreased egg production
- Abnormal droppings
Prevention: Quarantine new birds, vaccinate when possible, and maintain clean coops. The PoultryDVM offers excellent disease resources.
3. Egg Binding
Egg binding occurs when a hen can’t pass an egg. It’s more common in:
- Older hens
- Overweight birds
- High-production breeds
Symptoms include straining, lethargy, and a penguin-like stance. Without treatment, egg binding is fatal within 48 hours.
Prevention: Provide calcium supplements and proper grit for digestion.
4. Heat Stress
Chickens overheat easily in temperatures above 90°F. Signs of heat stress:
- Panting with open beak
- Wings held away from body
- Lethargy
Prevention: Provide shade, cool water, and ventilation. Freeze water bottles for them to lean against.
5. Frostbite
Comb and wattles can freeze in cold weather. Frostbite appears as blackened tissue.
Prevention: Apply petroleum jelly to combs in winter and ensure dry bedding.
6. Nutritional Deficiencies
Common deficiency-related deaths:
- Calcium deficiency: Causes soft-shelled eggs and muscle weakness
- Protein deficiency: Leads to poor growth and feather loss
- Vitamin E deficiency: Results in crazy chick disease (encephalomalacia)
Prevention: Feed balanced layer ration and limit scratch grains to 10% of diet.
7. Poisoning
Common chicken toxins:
- Moldy feed (aflatoxins)
- Pesticides
- Avocado
- Chocolate
Symptoms include convulsions, diarrhea, and sudden death.
Prevention: Store feed properly and research plants before free-ranging.
8. Old Age
Chickens typically live 5-10 years. Signs of aging include:
- Decreased egg production
- Weight loss
- Less activity
While natural, you can extend life with proper care. Some breeds live longer than others.
9. Cannibalism
Chickens may peck weak flockmates to death. Causes include:
- Overcrowding
- Bright lighting
- Nutritional deficiencies
Prevention: Provide 4 sq ft per bird in coop and use anti-pecking strategies.
10. Accidents
Common fatal accidents:
- Drowning in water buckets
- Getting trapped or crushed
- Flying into objects
Prevention: Use poultry waterers and check for hazards regularly.
11. Respiratory Diseases
Conditions like infectious bronchitis spread quickly. Symptoms include:
- Coughing/sneezing
- Nasal discharge
- Swollen sinuses
Prevention: Quarantine sick birds and disinfect equipment. The University of Florida offers excellent disease guides.
12. Sudden Death Syndrome
Sometimes healthy chickens die suddenly with no obvious cause. Possible reasons:
- Heart attack
- Aneurysm
- Internal bleeding
While unpreventable, these cases are rare in backyard flocks.