The Dogmother Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Our poor Jude has died She has been moulting for the last 2-3 weeks and seemed OK, joining in the usual melee for food etc. I checked her over at the weekend and she seemed fine... a tad bald and slightly slim, but otherwise OK; nothing that's not normal for a moulting bird. I came home this evening to take the bunnies and cat to the vet for their boosters and found Jude collapsed on the lawn Not normally the most biddable of chooks I expected her to run away when I went to pick her up, but when I tried to stand her up, she kept keeling over, so I popped her in the chicken box and took her along too - I gave her a quick examination - laboured breathing, weak heartbeat and closing her eyes, thin and weak. All this since the weekend, and she'd seemed fine this morning too when I let them out. The vet and i decided that she was so very weak that it was kindest to put her down there and then, no point really in nursing her through the night. We're not sure what it was, but I will watch the rest of the flock like a hawk, and have dosed their water with citricidal and ACV to boost their immune systems. They are unlikely to come down with it. Mareks is a herpes virus, which lays dormant in the system of most flocks, only really bothering a chicken if their immune systems are compromised.. say, when moulting like Jude was. The symptoms are weakness and gradual paralysis, there is no treatment and the bird will eventually die. It isn't unusual for others in the flock to look a bit under the weather, but not suffer unduly. Sleep well my golden girl xx http://claretblog.vox.com/library/photo/6a00ccff898588673100fad698eda70004.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Sorry to hear about Jude, Clare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 so sorry, and thanks for all the useful info.At least it was quick I guess. still sad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fizzle Knit Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 So sorry to hear about Jude, Claret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 So sorry to hear your news but sounds like a kind decision to put her down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 So sorry to hear about Jude. It seems that no matter what you do Nature has the last word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new chick Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 New to Chicking keeping so sorry to hear your news. Fingers cross your others are ok Thinking of you NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 So sorry to read that, your " sleep well golden girl" has got me in floods of tears, I can hardly see to type, I am sure she is though and I hope the rest of your girls remain ok xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 bless her, and bless you all. really sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 So sorry to hear about Jude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs chook Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Sleep well my golden girl xx So sorry to hear your sad news, bless her and you. Lots of love xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 So sorry to hear about Jude. It's so hard when they're already using all their resources for a moult to fight any illness, poor girl. At least she didn't suffer through the night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 11, 2008 Author Share Posted September 11, 2008 Thank you all, if she hadn't been so poorly, I'd have brought her home and fought through the night for her, but she'd gone downhill fast in the 15 minutes between me finding her and getting to the vet. Old hawkeye here will be watching the others closely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Sorry to hear your news, thanks for the information about Mareks though, sounds like what happened to Bertie. We lost a hen last night too, Lulu put herself to bed in the yellow eglu which was mist unusual but seemed fine, she'd been absolutely fine during the day. I got up this morning to find her dead in the nest, Her back end looked swollen so must have been something internal. At least it was quick for them both. Bit gutted, she wasn't my favourite but she was lovely, never grew her feathers properly after her moult but was a lovely hen nonetheless. Sorry for your loss Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Very sorry to hear this, I lost a youngster to Mareks and an older girl to egg peritonitis within days of each other a month ago and I know how devastating losses can be. As Gamebird says, Nature always has the last word. My consolation is in my beloved girls that are left and the fact that I'm still here - wiser and stronger to deal with the next calamity. Mourn her well (I know you will) and she will live on in your heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 11, 2008 Author Share Posted September 11, 2008 Sorry to hear about your losses Mrs B and Daphne Rosie was with me at the vets and devastated, but rallied enough to gather some flowers from the garden to bury with poor Jude. No matter how many animals you have, or lose, it never gets any easier. My friend has Jude's sister - she's the spitting image of her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Sorry to hear about your losses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Oh Clare im so sorry sending a virtual hug to you and Rosie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 So sad! My thoughts are with you all! Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen&Lee Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Sorry to hear about Jude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 What a shock Claret! I am so sorry. Poor Jude. Sending ((hugs)) to you and Rosie. Mrs B......so sorry to hear about Lulu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 So sorry to hear about poor Jude . Also poor Lulu & your girls, Daphne . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Oh Claret I am so sorry It brought tears to my eyes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I'm really sorry Clare, that's such a shame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaronmusgrove123 Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 sorry to hear about that she is very pretty bird her colours are lovly what is she Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
