Susie Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 Two weeks ago my 4 year old Ruby died and 3 days later I purchased two more hybrids, Muffin and Snowball. Ruby was a bit of a bully initially but not too bad and seemed to be very lively. They seemed to be settling down albeit Muffin and Snowball were very close and hung about together. However I noticed yesterday that Ruby was very slow and hunched and she is even worse today. I am wondering if she is withdrawn because she is missing Ruby (I didn't know that chickens grieved actually) or whether she is fed up with having newcomers or whether she has picked up something from Ruby (an infection maybe). She is not eating but drinking. This is worrying as I dont like my girls to keep being ill. The newcomers are fine and well settled in although they dont like to leave the run and freerange yet. Can anyone throw any light on the matter. Can this be normal behaviour after introducing new ones to the family. Any advice would be appreciated. Ruby Muffin Snowball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 It could be that she is taking a while to the new chooks but it could also easily be something else. Not a great help i know! When was she last wormed? It might be a good idea to Flubenvet her and the new ones to rule this out. When you say she isnt eating, is her crop totally empty in the evening or is she just being picky? Are the 2 new girls chasing her away from the food? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie Posted September 27, 2008 Author Share Posted September 27, 2008 Thank you for your reply. She doesn't appear to be hungry at all. Her crop does seem a bit bloated but because she is hunched up its difficult to tell. She was the bully when the newcomers first arrived so I dont think she is being prevented from eating. She just seems to want to be away from them. Actually the newcomers seem to be quite shy and sticking together. After feeling quite cross with Ruby at beginning because she was preventing them from eating and I had to put out additional food and water bowls, I now feel sorry for her on her own. I suppose I could worm her - she was done a few months ago. I'm worried in case there is an infection lurking around in the pen in which case I hope the newcomers don't pick anything up as well. I think tonight I might keep her apart from the others and see how she is in morning. What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 Yes i think keeping her on her own tonight and a little extra TLC will not go amiss. If she is still hunched tomorrow, not eating much and generally looks down i would pop her along to the vets just in case she does have an infection of some sort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie Posted September 28, 2008 Author Share Posted September 28, 2008 So sorry to say that poor Ebony died this morning. Its such a mystery - I don't think me getting newcomers helped but I only did this so she had company as I know they are flock birds and dont like being on their own. I feel so guilty now as she was fine before Ruby died and last week. I think I will completely scrub down the chicken house and disinfect it just in case there it is infected with something. Many thanks for all your advice. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 what a shame - you sound as though you are doing the right thing by checking the house but maybe if she was old as well she was a bit lost without her friend and went downhill from there.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 Sorry to hear about Ebony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 Sad news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 So sorry to hear about Ebony . Doesn't sound like there was anything you could have done . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
