BeckyBoo Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 Hi there, last week on Monday we lost one of our ex-batts, she'd been off colour during the day then died in the nest. Tonight I was watering the veggies and saw Henrietta (another of our ex batts) dead in the run. There had been NOTHING wrong with her today. Well, obviously there had been but you would never have known. She ate, she drank, she sunbathed. She was lying at a very funny angle in the run as though she'd literally dropped down dead. She was always our scrawniest, never ever feathered up and couldn't cluck, she just hissed like a goose with her neck outstretched. But she laid the odd egg every few days and seemed happy enough. Now I'm worried I'm doing something wrong - I though chickens could live for years? We've lost four since last October - two bantams we inherited and now two ex batts. What am I? Some kind of chicken murderer or something? Any ideas? Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 So sorry to hear your sad news Mrs Bertie.. obviously I'm too new to offer advice but sending a hug anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 sorry to hear about Henrietta mrs b. Doesnt sound like you are doing much wrong to me, I know it must be worrying but your chooks live the life of riley with you so im sure its nothing you are doing wrong. Sounds like she died very quickly doesnt it? seems like you've had a spate of bad luck and the ex batts are quite fragile arent they? At least she got lots of love and tlc with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 Oh dear, how sad and upsetting . I don't see it can possibly be anything you're doing wrong . It must surely just be awful bad luck . Don't beat yourself up - repeat after me "I'm a good chicken mummy". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen&Lee Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 Sorry to hear about Henrietta Mrs B. I have no experience with ex batts, but I'm lead to believe that they have a slightly fragile hold on life and the chance they have to scratch around, dustbathe and perch etc. is sometimes shortlived but very happy. They have a lovely home with you, we probably lose chickens closely together because they are around the same age. Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted June 8, 2008 Author Share Posted June 8, 2008 Thanks guys, I think you're right really I'm just a bit worried that maybe I've missed something. Anyway, starting tomorrow my lot are going on a new lot of flubenvet, the cube will be sterilised (could do with it anyway tbh ) and the old hay bales are coming out. I can feel a spring (or early summer) clean coming on. Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 if she was showing no signs of being ill then there's nothing you could have done. Sounds like she was just a fragile little girl and she was lucky to have the time she had with you. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 Sorry to read about it Mrs B. I wonder if it was something like Sudden Death or Flip Over Syndrome. It usually affects broilers, but the symptoms sound similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cazjohn Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Hugs to you Mrs B Maybe it's in the air our third one in about four weeks is on her way out this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 We lost one of our ex-batts the morning after we brought her home and that was awful. She was the third hen that we had lost in a month and I was convinced that it was me. Six months later and the rest are all big bruisers -fighting fit and rearing to go. It won't be anything that you have done, I'm sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 I'm so sorry Mrs Bertie - its very sad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
