Do you have an idea of why she died? :(

[SemiSweet2391]

We found one of our older hens, Olive, dead tonight. This is the first time I’ve had a bird die, so it was unexpected and I’m not sure what happened.

Possibly Relevant Facts:
-She was an olive egger, around 3-5 years old.
-She and most of the flock accidentally slept outside of the coop last night.
-It was the hottest day of the year so far, 85F, and I noticed the girls holding their wings away from their bodies today. The water level was low, but water was still coming out of the nipples when I tested.
-I could find no injuries on her body. I’m not super experienced but I *think* her crop was empty.
-I’m not sure what her poop means but she had a bit of it by her vent.

Any theories? Or, can I at least rule some things out?

 

[50-45-1]

Sorry for your loss!
Not sure, but maybe put some extra water out for your girls if possible. Sometime mine will think its somehow "special" if I put a water dish in a new spot.
It might encourage them to stay hydrated.
Also she may have just had a heart attack. This is not uncommon with chickens.
I had a pure white braman rooster once that was enthusiastically romancing his hens one minute and the next minute I saw him thrashing in death throes somersaulting across the yard! I was like "What just happened?".
Heart attack! My husband said Yaa, but what a way to go!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Sorry for your loss!
Not sure, but maybe put some extra water out for your girls if possible. Sometime mine will think its somehow "special" if I put a water dish in a new spot.
It might encourage them to stay hydrated.
Also she may have just had a heart attack. This is not uncommon with chickens.
I had a pure white braman rooster once that was enthusiastically romancing his hens one minute and the next minute I saw him thrashing in death throes somersaulting across the yard! I was like "What just happened?".
Heart attack! My husband said Yaa, but what a way to go!

I agree, I think the water theory is probably a good one. You (OP) say it was abnormally hot and the chickens were standing with their wings out away from their bodies. Maybe your hen wasn't able to get sufficient hydration from the nipples for some reason. Maybe she was low on the pecking order and wasn't allowed to drink enough? Or maybe it was just too crowded at the drinking station. In any case, adding waterers to be sure everyone gets plenty to drink is probably a good idea. I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[SemiSweet2391]

Sorry for your loss!
Not sure, but maybe put some extra water out for your girls if possible. Sometime mine will think its somehow "special" if I put a water dish in a new spot.
It might encourage them to stay hydrated.
Also she may have just had a heart attack. This is not uncommon with chickens.
I had a pure white braman rooster once that was enthusiastically romancing his hens one minute and the next minute I saw him thrashing in death throes somersaulting across the yard! I was like "What just happened?".
Heart attack! My husband said Yaa, but what a way to go!

Ah ok, thank you for your experience!! I refilled their water and I’ll put more out tomorrow. Poor Olive. I hope she didn’t suffer!

 

[SemiSweet2391]

I agree, I think the water theory is probably a good one. You (OP) say it was abnormally hot and the chickens were standing with their wings out away from their bodies. Maybe your hen wasn't able to get sufficient hydration from the nipples for some reason. Maybe she was low on the pecking order and wasn't allowed to drink enough? Or maybe it was just too crowded at the drinking station. In any case, adding waterers to be sure everyone gets plenty to drink is probably a good idea. I'm sorry for your loss.

Ok, yeah I wondered about that too. If she wasn’t allowed to access the waterer. I will put another source out. Thanks for your advice!