Mutrix Farmers Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 (edited) My favourite chicken has been under the weather now since New Year. She's off her food, hardly drinking and almost skeletal when I pick her up. She was taken to the vets and has had antibiotics. We have some to give her too at home (what a palaver that is) but it hasn't made any difference, in fact she looks worse. This morning she stumbled out of the eglu, wobbled a lot, looked at the food then just sat all puffed up. Her comb is now cold and showing signs of going blue at the edge (I know it's been cold but the other two look OK) She has to go back to the vet on Monday, but I'm fearing the worst now. I won't allow her to suffer and will be guided by the vet, but I'm not looking forward to it. Just wanted to share this with you all as you are all caring and compassionate people some of who understand what it's like to lose a bird for the first time. Not sure that non-chicken keeping friends and family will understand quite how I feel, after all "it's only a chicken" Edited January 12, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Aww, poor thing she doesnt sound too good does she? I completely understand who upsetting it is, they are like part of the family. I hope it isnt too distressing for you or her when you visit the vets next week. Good vibes & hugs coming your way....could also for a miracle recovery (you never know) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Sorry to hear it. You have done your best for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Sorry to hear it. You have done your best for her. yes, perhaps inside in a nice warm box for now so she not using any energy up keeping warm, bless her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 I do hope she improves over the weekend. I know how you are feeling - my Bluebell is not well, and I am just hoping that I don't have to take her back to the vet as I know the likely outcome. Fingers crossed for both our girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 i hope that it wont come to the worst, although the poor mite doesnt sound too clever its very hard to lose a chicken for the first time. i try to remind myself that chickens arent like cats and dogs, they are much more viable to illness and disease, and they could die at any time. if i didnt love them all so much i wouldnt keep chicks anymore! i also found it very hard to find any sympathy from anyone outside the family, as everyone else took the whole thing and made it into a 'sunday roast' joke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 One of the chaps I work with is always like that, when I told them at work that my Skye was ill he said 'can't you just get rid of it and get another chicken?'. I give as good as I get now, people like that don't wind me up any more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 I lost my 1st girl just before xmas and this forum was a tower of strength for me. I hope your girl makes a miracle recovery but if the worst has to happen we'll be here for you. We know just how it feels, there is no such thing as "only a chicken". Huge hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 I'm so sorry to hear Charlotte's poorly . It doesn't sound like there's much more you can do other than shower her with TLC . We all do understand (I've never lost a chicken but dread the day it happens ) so ignore the unfeeling comments of non-chicken people and take comfort from us instead . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 Thankyou so much to you all for your kind words. Unfortunately Charlotte didn't improve at all and the vet put her to sleep this morning. While sat on the examination table she did a very foul smelling yellow watery poo, to which the vet said "looks like a kidney problem". There was nothing more she could do for her. Thanks again for your support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I'm so sorry to hear the sad news about Charlotte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Sad news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Sad news. indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 So sorry to hear your news. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 So sorry to hear about Charlotte - I know how you are feeling, as Bluebell died this afternoon in the car on the way home from the vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 So sorry for you both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 So sorry for you both We lost Mindy this weekend as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 so very sorry to about charlotte, you did all that you could Big hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxx So sorry to hear about Bluebelle and Mindy as well, sad times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I am sorry for your loss. Unfortunatly its not just the first one you lose that hurts! I have nearly hit some people that ask if you are keeping them to eat them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 So sorry to hear about Charlotte. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 Thanks to everyone for the kind words and big hugs to anyone else that has lost a chicken. Son is really upset but trying to remember the fun times. If he sat on a chair in their pen she would climb all over him (head to toe) as if he was her personal roost. Trying to work out what bits we need to introduce 2 replacement birds. We have an old rabbit hutch, just need to construct a run. OH is keen to build a new walk in run. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
