Chicken straining and holding it's mouth open

[modestmaiden62]

I had a rooster that when I through them their food he would start to peck at the food then hold his neck up and have his mouth open. I had noticed this behavior for a while then the other day I found him dead. I was just wondering what was wrong? I have been reading about sour and impacted crop and don't know if that is what it was or if he had something in is throat. Unfortunately I burned his body before I read about all this today so I can't dissect to investigate it now. I was just wondering.
Thanks for any insight I can get. Now I just need to find another Lavender Orpington to replace him.

 

[Ameraucanas]

I do not know. My chickens do that occasionally, but they all seem to be fine. I am really sorry about your loss.