Sudden death

[xChickrenMamax]

Today I let my flock out for the first time to free range, I stayed with them the entire time and kept an eye out for predators etc. I had one broody hen who I had taken off the eggs because I don’t have a rooster & I didn’t want her brooding- I noticed she had been closing her eyes while out there and her sisters were digging around enjoying the grass & bugs.
I had held her for a while in the shade and made her drink some water just thinking she was being broody.
She found a spot in the shade & had fallen asleep so I had been sitting on the ground near her keeping an eye out on her & the others when my boyfriend noticed a large(ish) snake slithering by. I jumped up and went to grab the other chickens thinking I’d leave the broody one be while I got the rest of the flock and all of the sudden she flew up flapping her wings around and then stopped then again, this went on a few times - I didn’t know what was going on! One of the other hens went to go over to her the first time it happened but since I didn’t know what was going on I just let her be and got the others out of there. Thinking maybe the snake had bit her or something uncertain. She passed away and the worst thing is I don’t know why. After reading I’m thinking maybe it was sudden shock syndrome? I checked her over for anything that could’ve given me a sign of what happened and I couldn’t find anything
My flock is healthy and very well cared for I clean them regularly and make sure they have food/water/attention but I guess that wasn’t enough.
Any feedback would be appreciated

 

[DobieLover]

Today I let my flock out for the first time to free range, I stayed with them the entire time and kept an eye out for predators etc. I had one broody hen who I had taken off the eggs because I don’t have a rooster & I didn’t want her brooding- I noticed she had been closing her eyes while out there and her sisters were digging around enjoying the grass & bugs.
I had held her for a while in the shade and made her drink some water just thinking she was being broody.
She found a spot in the shade & had fallen asleep so I had been sitting on the ground near her keeping an eye out on her & the others when my boyfriend noticed a large(ish) snake slithering by. I jumped up and went to grab the other chickens thinking I’d leave the broody one be while I got the rest of the flock and all of the sudden she flew up flapping her wings around and then stopped then again, this went on a few times - I didn’t know what was going on! One of the other hens went to go over to her the first time it happened but since I didn’t know what was going on I just let her be and got the others out of there. Thinking maybe the snake had bit her or something uncertain. She passed away and the worst thing is I don’t know why. After reading I’m thinking maybe it was sudden shock syndrome? I checked her over for anything that could’ve given me a sign of what happened and I couldn’t find anything
My flock is healthy and very well cared for I clean them regularly and make sure they have food/water/attention but I guess that wasn’t enough.
Any feedback would be appreciated

She was likely not broody but wasn't feeling well and was hiding in the nest box to avoid the flock.
How long had she been there?
Without a necropsy, it's next to impossible to say why she died.

 

[xChickrenMamax]

She was likely not broody but wasn't feeling well and was hiding in the nest box to avoid the flock.
How long had she been there?
Without a necropsy, it's next to impossible to say why she died.

She had only been in there this morning. I check them closely at bed time every night and they were all OK and on their roost in their normal spots. She was acting like she was a few weeks ago when she was broody by making a defensive noise when I went in for the eggs this morning and yesterday.
I know it’s tough to determine but if she was sick I worry about the others

 

[cherrynberry]

She had only been in there this morning. I check them closely at bed time every night and they were all OK and on their roost in their normal spots. She was acting like she was a few weeks ago when she was broody by making a defensive noise when I went in for the eggs this morning and yesterday.
I know it’s tough to determine but if she was sick I worry about the others

Chickens can also be defensive when just simply laying eggs. Are you sure she stayed in the nest? I usually only know a hen is broody when they are in the nesting box for 2 days.

 

[xChickrenMamax]

Chickens can also be defensive when just simply laying eggs. Are you sure she stayed in the nest? I usually only know a hen is broody when they are in the nesting box for 2 days.

Yes my hens are very docile girls. They usually would make a little noise if I lift the door of the box but they’re usually in and out. She was laying on all of the eggs and her feathers puffed out. But either way, it’s just really strange that she was falling asleep while out in the yard like that (broody or not I suppose) :-/