I was away yesterday with work. Fed and watered the chooks before putting them away on Monday night (they had been free ranging all day). Tuesday morning I left them in the run since I wouldn't be around all day. By the time I got back last night it was dark and they had put themselves to bed in the coop.
I went to check them this morning and one was dead in the coop. Eyes closed head limp to one side and one of the others had clearly been standing on her since she had poop on her.
The water had somehow been knocked off the side of the coop and spilt and so they didn't have any. I'm not sure when that happened presumably some time yesterday.
Is that really enough time for a chicken to die of dehydration? The others were clearly thirsty since I let them out straight away and they all went for a drink in the pond but they seemed perfectly fine. They are running around happily now.
Its very strange and makes me worry about leaving them alone overnight!