Single hen

[oniondog]

Our beautiful black Miss Pepperpot, Maud, seemed in rude good health from the moment she arrived a year ago in January. Sadly, she has been under the weather in the last couple of weeks. Searching on this wonderful forum confirmed that all the signs -- a hunched up, lethargic hen, who seemed to be losing her zest for life -- meant we should take her to the vet. She appeared to have a swollen abdomen and her breastbone was poking out alarmingly. Our lovely vet took her in overnight, and drained the fluid (lots of very yellow pus) this morning. He decided to take a look inside, and discovered that she had cancer of the kidney, so has put her to sleep. We had worried that as first-time hen owners we had somehow neglected her and allowed her to get ill, so we're very grateful that our vet took the time and trouble to investigate thoroughly. She will be much missed. May she rest in chicken peace.

 

Sorry to bring sad news to the forum, but I thought perhaps it would reassure some unconfident hen-owners (like us!) that it may not be your fault if an apparently healthy hen gets sick.

 

Meanwhile, Gertie, Blossom and Bramble are enjoying the sunshine today...

[Guest]

so sorry to hear about Maud

[chelsea]

sorry to hear the sad news about Maud.

 

Sounds like you have a good vet there.

[Purplemaniacs]

Sorry to hear about Maud

 

Glad that the others enjoyed the sunshine.

 

Chrissie

[Chickvic]

Sorry to hear your sad news about Maud

[Plum]

Really sad news.

[oniondog]

Thank you all. Maud's departure has made us feel a bit glum, but the other three hens (and one crazy dog) are good at cheering us up. Thank goodness for an understanding vet (he has a cockerel, which he says has to sleep inside their house at night -- apparently the double glazing keeps it from disturbing the neighbours when it crows at 3am!).

[Gamebird]

So sorry to hear about Maud. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

 

Lovely story about the cockerel being kept indoors at night.