Single hen

[Falkor]

When I went to let the girls out this morning only Gin and OSH came out of the Eglu.

 

I looked in through the Egg port and my Stella was laying on the roosting bars dead.

 

I am so upset. I didn`t get home from work until about half two so I didn`t get them up or get their breakfast but OH says all was normal. Reflecting on yesterday now I can see she wasn`t herself yesterday/ She stayed in the Eglu run yesterday whilst the other two free ranged but I put this down to OH and FIL being in the garden sawing and hammering. She had her corn treat just before bedtime and I saw her drinking from the glug (maybe too much) and she tottled off to bed as normal.

 

When I went out at about 9pm to move them into the cube they were all awake and Stella was standing up rather that in the chook huddle like normal. I thought nothing of it and left them in the Eglu assuming they just hadn`t gotten sleepy yet. I feel like I should of done something more and the guilt is currently out weighing the grief.

 

So today I have to put my Stella to rest. I am sure I would be upset if ANY of the girls were ill or died but Stella had a special place in my heart and I know you are not meant to have favourites but she was mine.

[Electricbarbarella]

so sorry

[Plum]

Oh I am so sorry how heartbreaking but you are being very hard on yourself as I'm sure I would.

From what you saw of her there isn't anything that would alarm me, except in retrospect of course. So you are no different to anyone else.

I feel so sad for you I know how much they mean to you. Big hugs. x

[Mrs Webmuppet]

Oh no, so sorry to hear your news.

[susanbb]

So sorry to hear about Stella

[ali-s]

Sorry to hear your sad news about Stella

[Cooks]

Oh Em I am so so sorry, I know what she meant to you Sleep well little one

[Olly]

So sorry to hear that, but please don't feel guilty. Remember, chickens are very good at disguising illness. If she'd really appeared ill, then you would have investigated - all she displayed was a slight change in behaviour, not obvious signs of ill-health, and their condition can change very rapidly. Even if you'd looked closely last night, you probably wouldn't have seen anything obvious.

 

It doesn't sound as if she was ill for long, and at least she died peacefully with her friends around her.

[Sky]

So sorry to hear your sad news about Stella. I'm just a beginner here but can only imagine how awful it must be when one of the flock dies - I am just making friends with mine and know that I am going to get very attached

[moomin]

So sorry to hear about poor Stella

[ClaireG]

I'm so sorry to hear about Stella

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Oh no, how awful . I'm so sorry to hear about poor little Stella . Don't blame yourself. At least she didn't suffer and went in her sleep .

[westleigh]

so sorry to hear about stella,dont feel guilty i am sure she had a great life with you all.lots of hugs and xxxxxxxx

[brambles]

I am sorry, poor little girlie at least she didn't suffer. x

[poachedegg]

Poor Stella and hugs to you. x

[Egluntyne]

Sorry to hear it.

[Chickvic]

Sorry to hear about Stella

[Falkor]

Thank you all for your kind words.

 

Stella is wrapped in towel in the shed at the moment until we figure out what to do with her for the best. The only place were we could dig a hole to bury her is where the walk in run is going and that has been levelled etc.

 

Will the vets take her for me?

 

Also I am raking my brains trying to think what might of coursed this but I spose it could of been anything. They were all wormed with Flubevent in January and all have been eating well etc. They get a full clean out every weekend. I use diatom in their dustbath and Stalosan F in the run. Should I worm them again?

 

Gin and OSH have been banned from the Eglu and run until I have cleaned and disinfected it again.

[Redwing]

I am so sorry about Stella, what a big shock for you

 

I don't think I would have done anything differently so don't beat yourself up about it, she was young and you would have had no cause to think there was anything wrong.

 

I don't think that worms would have been the problem but it may be just as well to treat the other two to put your mind at rest, it won't do them any harm.

 

So sorry again

[Groovychook]

Such sad news

[Guest]

oh thats really sad...i know u were really pleased to be moving them in last night.

Stella had a good top class caring home, so dont feel guilty. Olly is right animals are brill at hiding their ailments its part of their makeup.

I think most people on this forum have their chickens 110% interests at heart thats why we are all doing the best for our animals.

 

She had a good happy chicken life with you:!:

 

RIP Stella

indie

[fluffyknickers]

Oh sorry to hear the sad news. Michelle

[chelsea]

so sorry to hear about Stella what a shock for you. I agree with the other replies that I very much doubt it was worms for her to pass that quickly, it must have been something very sudden.

[craftyhunnypie]

R.I.P little Stella.

 

Hugs.

 

Emma.x

[Daphne]

I'm also very sorry to hear your sad news. She looked a very bonny little hen. Please don't beat yourself up; these hens are very good little actors and take comfort that she had a good time with you and didn't suffer with anything long and drawn out. Have a word with your vet about disposal, other options are to bury her somewhere deep maybe with a slab as a fox-digging deterrant, perhaps with a rose, bulbs or shrub to mark the spot, or, without wishing to sound disrespectful, you can double wrap her and pop her in the bin.