Patridge bantam chicken poorly foot?

[CrazyDaizy]

Hia folks

 

Our poor Daisy died this morning when we took her to the vets. It was very sad. She had been under the weather for about 2-3 days. The vet thinks it might have been "egg peritinotis." Daisy was about 2 years old, quite young for a chook I think?

 

Our remaining Chicken Cilla still seems healthy but we have been told to keep an eye on her for a week or two, and any sign of her becoming ill, to take her to the vets.

 

We want to buy another chicken in the next couple of weeks to keep Cilla company. I believe she would quite happily accept another chook as she has quite an easy going and docile character.

 

I cant believe Im already talking about replacing Daisy when she has only just gone!!!

[WitchHazel]

Sorry to hear about Daisy, it's very sad when one a chook dies.

 

It's a good idea to get a new friend for Cilla, and sooner rather than later is best. Although I can see why you might think it seeems a bit soon to start taking about it, it isn't really too soon. CHickens need the company of other chickens.

 

If you've room, you might want to think about getting two new girls, that way when (as it will be when rather than if) something happens to one of your flock, you aren't left with one on her own again.

 

And there are soooo many to choose from!

[CrazyDaizy]

Thanx a lot Witch Hazel

 

We want chickens with a good temperament, and may consider two as you suggested.

What kinda chickens should I go for?

[chelsea]

so sorry to hear about your loss

 

We were in the same predicament last year when Sam died. Ella was very depressed when Sam died and sat in our kitchen for days looking all forlorn. After good advice on this forum we went out and got some friends for her and she instantly perked up - so much so she was like a different chicken, she became top chook too!

 

I would recommend getting some pals for your lone chook, if it were me I would go for 2 more.

[nikplus]

Sorry to read of your loss.

 

I would second the posts that recommend getting two new chooks rather than just one. We set ourselves up with three in the first instance, having been told that if you do that they organise themselves as a small flock and it's easy to introduce new ones should one of them die.

 

If you keep just a pair, they bond as a pair, not a flock and so the loss is more seriously felt by the remaining chicken, which may also have trouble bonding with a new arrival.

 

Don't feel guilty about replacing Daisy so soon. Perhaps we humans are more sentimental than our hens. I'm sure Cilla would appreciate some new arrivals sooner rather than later.

[Lo]

I have been in the same situation. Started with 4 then 2 died and so was left with 2. Kept saying I would get them some friends but never got round to it. Then a dog got 1 of the 2 which just left poor Lily on her own. She was heartbroken and just clucked the whole day long. Urgently started searching the net and found her 2 buff sussex bantams. She is very happy now. Glad I went for 2 new friends rather than 1. (Oh doesn't know but I am on the look out for another 2 now as well!)

 

As for which breed. I think the friendliest breed I have come across are silver laced wyandotte (bantams). They looked lovely, had the most funny waddle but were very friendly as well.

 

Lo

[AJuff]

My Amber stars are so docile and friendly. I'd get two new hens to introduce as suggested.

[susanbb]

Sorry to hear of your loss. You should definately get at least another 2 young ladies to be friends with Cilla.

[MedusA]

So sorry to hear about your loss.

 

Do get more new friends for Cilla, but be warned that no matter how docile she seems, she probably won't take kindly to interlopers when they arrive. My Scully survived a fox attack which killed her friend, Mulder. She was really dejected on her own so we thought she'd be OK, but when we got 2 new hens she was absolutely horrible to them at first. Now they are the best of friends, of course, but it does take time.

 

All the best with the introductions. You're not mean for thinking of new hens now. We did the same, but waited a week simply because we wanted Scully to get over her injuries.