Health of New Hens - Suggestions?

[cmbookworm]

Well....crap. I came home tonight and found one of the new hens dead. It was the one who was most wobbly after arrival. No idea what happened to her....maybe heat? Snake bite? Something pre existing? I'm much sadder than I thought I would be. Was really hopeful they would all make it

 

[cmbookworm]

Well....crap. When I got home last night, one of the new hens was dead. It was the one who was a bit wobbly at the start. When we got them home Sunday, she was a bit wobbly when she stood up and I wrote it off to stress from the move. Or heat (it as been HOT here this week).

I have no clue what happened to her and I saddened more than I thought I would be at the loss of a flock member. She was just out in their little temporary yard. No idea if it was too hot (even though I've been putting frozen watermelon out for them this week, along with fresh water and ice in a pan for them to hang with), if it was a snake bite (I saw my first copperhead Sunday night not far from their enclosure), or if she showed up with a compromised immune system. My husband gave her a pretty thorough once over when he got home, and there was no obvious trauma or wound. When he picked her up, lots of blood rushed out from her mouth- I have no idea what would cause this! (Gross description, I know, but I'm hoping it can lead someone to a guess as to what happened!) I am hopeful the other 2 girls will make it and it's not something communicable....I would be heartbroken if we lost the other 2, or somehow my existing flock became ill. We put the other 2 up for the night not long after and I hosed out their yard this morning. The other 2 seemed to have a good appetite this morning and seemed fine, other than still looking rather raggedy.

I'd appreciate any happy hen thoughts anyone can send my way.