Dodge Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Hi everyone, One of my girls Audrey, is going to the vets tonight to be put down. She has been unwell since last Thursday. We found her on the floor in the run when we went to lock up for the night, so we brought her in the house and made her as comfortable as possible. After 2 days she was showing no sign of improvement, so I took her to the vets. The vet gave her 3 injections and a course of antibiotics to give her twice a day. She was sleeping in our conservatory, and had been drinking and eating a little bit. We had hopes that she would recover, however when my OH got home from work this afternoon, she found Audrey splayed out in her nest tray, unable to get up and she also found a lot of blood on the floor from her bottom. Needless to say we are both very upset, and also feel so useless, as we had no idea what was wrong with her. I just hope and pray that the other 3 girls will be allright. I know this sounds daft, but when we rescued our girls in January, I promised them all that they were now going to live the high life in 5* accomodation. I now feel as though I have let Audrey down. Kind regards Dodge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 She did live the high life for a little while - you gave her a lovely home and she got to feel the sun on her back. I am sure she has loved her short time with you. Thinking of you tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Please dont blame yourself Dodge. Chickens can hide illness very well and go downhill very rapidly that often there is nothing (not even a skilled vet) can be done to prevent the loss of a chicken. Im so sorry. I know how you feel - you get so attached to them dont you? Take comfort in the fact that you took it upon yourself to have the kindness to rescue her and that she felt freedom and the sun on her back and TLC like never before when you had her. She was a lucky chicken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 So sorry to hear about Audrey With out you rescuing her she would never have known such kindness and care. Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Dodge im so sorry to hear your news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Sorry to hear about Audrey. At least she had some Chickeny happiness with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Try not to feel guilty Dodge. I'm sure she had a good few months of life with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 so sorry to hear about Audrey for a little while she knew the joys of freeranging, the sun on her back, someone to love and care for her............for that she will always thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cazjohn Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 We lost one of our ex-batts after three months I felt awful too, but try to remember that for them three months of doing normal chicken things is wonderful considering where they came from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Sorry to hear about Audrey. She had a hard life before she came to you and will have been very grateful for the care and attention....and 5* accommodation that you lavished on her. Be comforted by that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 So sorry to hear about Audrey . I echo what everyone else has said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Oh no. Poor Audrey and poor you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slip and pitch Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Poor Audrey and poor you. Try to take comfort from the fact that you did everything you could for her and have given her the best chances she could have. I'm sure she's glad to have spent what time she had with you,and your other girls still need you too. My thoughts are with you. Hugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 You've done everything you can - and are doing the final thing you can, by ensuring she dies quickly and painlessly. It's a horrible decision to have to make, but she was clearly very poorly. She had a few months of freedom and good care, and that's more than many other hens get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Really sorry to hear about Audrey. I'm still feeling gutted from losing our pepperpot on Saturday, and wondering what could have caused it. I know exactly how you're feeling right now; but you did all you could. At least you got her to the vets in time, and tried your hardest to save her. I didn't even do that. One day she was limping, the next morning, dead. Just remember you gave her a happy life. She was a well loved, lucky little hen. ((((Big Hugs to you.)))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 So sorry and she had the best retirement a hen could want. Hugs BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Sorry to hear your news. Big hugs C x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted April 23, 2008 Author Share Posted April 23, 2008 Hi everyone, Thank you so much for all your messages of support and kindness. It means a great deal to me and my OH that you have taken the time to respond and show that you care. That is why the Omlet forum is so fantastic, because it consists of decent likeminded individuals who share a common goal to provide a high standard of animal welfare and care, not only to their "Girls" but to all their pets. Buying my cube and rescuing my ex batts and getting involved in this forum, has been one of the best things I have done. Once again thank you and kind regards Dodge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...