Thunderstorm scared chicken to death?

[cozycoop1314]

So we had a wicked thunderstorm last night & this morning one of our girls was on the floor of the coop below their roost dead.

Little info, all healthy chickens doing great yesterday. About 7 months old. All laying great. No recent health or pecking order issues. Just happy hens.

We originally had 4 chickens & at about 4/5 months old we had a huge thunderstorm & I found one dead in the morning. At this point they weren't roosting, just sleeping on the floor of the coop. No other signs or symptoms I thought maybe had a heart attack or maybe just that suddenly chicken death syndrome. But having this happen again right after a really loud crazy scary thunderstorm, I cant help but wonder if it could be that?

Anyone have this happen?

 

[eggbert420]

Something else going on. Dont know what tho.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry for your loss

There's no way to know for sure, but if they are not roosting yet, it's possible when frightened they piled into a corner or on each other suffocating her.

At 4-5months of age, try to encourage roosting. At night, gently place them on the roosts. You may need to do this several nights in a row until they get the idea.

 

[cozycoop1314]

They roost now. The first time I thought that bc they weren't roosting yet. Now they roost every night & have for months now. The chicken was right below her usual sleeping spot on the roost