Found hen dead in the coop-not a predator issue

[Jajika]

This morning I found one of my red sexlinks dead in the coop? She was about six years old and her "sister" is still going strong. It's very strange as she was fine yesterday. She, and all my girls, have a very healthy and fun life. When I went out to their yard to let them out on what I call a field trip -- our larger yard with grass that they love to eat and I know it is very healthy for them. I didn't see her rush out and checked the coop to see if she was laying. Then I saw her...just dead. There are no predators as they live in what I call Chicken Alcatraz. A very large 75 x 25 x 15 yard built with hardware cloth dug a foot and half down and flared out. It has trees and bushes and their coop inside. I didn't see any evidence of injuries. Is this just something that can happen. Love some observations. Thanks

 

[Geckolady]

Was there any evidence of blood, wounds, or anything coming out of her vent?

 

[Jajika]

Was there any evidence of blood, wounds, or anything coming out of her vent?

Thank you. No, I examined her and found nothing which is why it is so strange.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I had a broody that died in a fight. We think she suffocated since we found her wedged in the corner of the coop

 

[Jajika]

I had a broody that died in a fight. We think she suffocated since we found her wedged in the corner of the coop

Oh, I'm sorry. All my hens have known each other for years. Of course, there is the pecking order, so the occasional "I'm here first" issues, there are no fights.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Oh, I'm sorry. All my hens have known each other for years. Of course, there is the pecking order, so the occasional "I'm here first" issues, there are no fights.

They all knew each other well, but we have a very instinctive male and some older hens that get grumpy when they're told no by another bird so we think being broody made her fight when she normally wouldn't have

 

[Jajika]

They all knew each other well, but we have a very instinctive male and some older hens that get grumpy when they're told no by another bird so we think being broody made her fight when she normally wouldn't have

That makes sense. We know that some chickens are very bossy.