An apparatus for detecting dead animals in a farm, particularly for farms of laying hens, comprising one or more scanning elements arranged, with a corresponding supporting structure, so as to map the space of a farm, the scanning elements being connected to an electronic control and management unit) that is adapted to process the scans, detecting any presence of motionless animals in the farm space. A method of detecting dead animals in a farm by way of such an apparatus comprises the steps of performing periodically a mapping of the space of the farm intended to be occupied by animals raised there, comparing successive mappings in order to identify any animals that are in the same position in at least two successive mappings, and emitting a signal indicating the presence of a motionless animal.
