Sudden death of a chicken?

[Mbrady71]

My chicken started off to bed. Was on roost with her other friend.
I was doing a foot check on the 5 chickens that I have. One chicken had some bad scales on her leg possibly.
I picked the one up of her roost. She is my most nervous bird. She jumped back to roost. I gently grabbed her and cradle her in my arms telling her to relax. She suddenly started to choke and cough. I went to sit down with her still holding. She made some noises and choking sounds next. I sat her down on ground She wouldn't move. Then she closed her eyes and was gone... what happened. I feel horrible. I do feel guilty like I shouldn't have bothered her. But they are very social with me and are used to me handling them all the time. Will her friend grieve. They are together always.

 

[Mbrady71]

My chicken started off to bed. Was on roost with her other friend.
I was doing a foot check on the 5 chickens that I have. One chicken had some bad scales on her leg possibly.
I picked the one up of her roost. She is my most nervous bird. She jumped back to roost. I gently grabbed her and cradle her in my arms telling her to relax. She suddenly started to choke and cough. I went to sit down with her still holding. She made some noises and choking sounds next. I sat her down on ground She wouldn't move. Then she closed her eyes and was gone... what happened. I feel horrible. I do feel guilty like I shouldn't have bothered her. But they are very social with me and are used to me handling them all the time. Will her friend grieve. They are together always.

To add she was 2 years old

 

[Mutchi]

What breed?

 

[Mbrady71]

She was an Easter egger. Looked like a lace wydondt mix.
I'm in Michigan. Weather was ok. She free range all day. I hadn't seen an egg from her that day. She seemed normal. I keep thinking did I hurt her when I picked her up. I know I was gentle. I was as soon as I picked her her she started to couch then in minutes gasp. Water ran out of her mouth when she passed. So I don't know if it was a crop issue.

 

[Mbrady71]

My big brahm had a bloody foot feather. And her scales looked a little red. So I was just doing a foot check on everybody. I was going to run vetrx on all their legs just in case prevention of mites. These are my first birds. All very spoiled and healthy.

 

[MysteryChicken]

She was an Easter egger. Looked like a lace wydondt mix.
I'm in Michigan. Weather was ok. She free range all day. I hadn't seen an egg from her that day. She seemed normal. I keep thinking did I hurt her when I picked her up. I know I was gentle. I was as soon as I picked her her she started to couch then in minutes gasp. Water ran out of her mouth when she passed. So I don't know if it was a crop issue.

Sounds like she aspirated liquid from her crop, & drowned.

 

[Mbrady71]

Sounds like she aspirated liquid from her crop, & drowned.

Is there anything that can be done. If that should ever happen to other birds?

 

[MysteryChicken]

Is there anything that can be done. If that should ever happen to other birds?

Make sure there's no water in their crop before you flip them over, or upside down.