locking chickens out of the house

[BabyBantam]

Can you kill a healthy chicken in lay by locking it out of the house - a friend has chickens and locked them out of the house in error this morning - went home at lunchtime to find one dead on the floor.

If not ill etc, can the stress of not being able to get in the house to lay make it die? Mine lay out doors sometimes and have laid in the run without any issues in the past.

Said I'd post this for her in case anyone had any answers....

Cheers BB

[dinosaw]

How was the chicken when she found her BB? if it was on its back or side then it was likely a heart attack which can be brought on by stress. I have locked my hens out of the house before and have come out to find them going berserk marching around the house and trying to get into the next boxes from above, they were not happy with me at all and I've never seen them rush into the house so fast but the odd time it has happened and I wasn't there like yours they have laid in the run and no permanent harm was done. I would say it is possible that stress could have killed her but whether that was being locked out or something else like a fox turning up outside or another stressor who knows.

[BabyBantam]

No idea if fox came by, but she said it was on its side on the floor with one foot tucked in tight and other stretched out under the outdoor perch. Possibly heart attack I'd say. Very sad whatever happened.
Does make me worry though if it was stress, as I lock my Perkins out of the house regularly when they are broodie to stop them sitting in the house all day