4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[homefarm]

Hi,

We rehomed 6 battery hens on 28/03. All were fine and feisty, but one was very small and bald. This one (Kelly) sadly died yesterday. She was fine the day before, but on yesterday could barely keep her eyes open and refused all drink and feed. We isolated her as soon as we noticed she was under par. To be honest, I expected to lose her, as she defo did not look as fit and well-fed as the others'.

The other ladies are now in their run and are clamouring to get out into the garden. One has already escaped and had to be herded back. I noticed this morning that the skin around one of the chickens' (Bakuny, don't ask) faces has gone a pink colour. She is eating and drinking really well. ANy ideas?

I am terrified that whatever killed poor Kelly is now going to kill off the rest of my brood.... I did notice when lifting Kelly out of her hospital bed yesterday, that she had a lot of fluid retention in her neck area, and a big hard lump at the very top of her throat. At first I thought it could be crop related, but the crop is much lower.

We are new to all this and would appreciate any advice at all.

What do you think could have killed off Kelly?

If it is infectious should I get broad spectrum antibiotics from my vet as a precaution?

Why does Bakuny have a pink/red face?

Thanks xx

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum . So sorry to hear about poor Kelly . I don't have ex-batts nor any experience of poorly hens I'm afraid . When you say her face is pink/red, I think it's supposed to be like that. Do you have a photo of her so we can see if it's normal or not?

 

To help you compare, this is quite an old photo of Maisie but shows her face being red.

[homefarm]

Now I feel like a doofus! That is eggsactly whay Bakuny looks like. When they first came they were very plae, so I suppose that this means she is getting to be a bit healthier!

 

ANy ideas about Kelly?

 

xxx

Thanks for the reply xx

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Don't worry . How were you to know! I've seen photos of ex-batts on here and their combs/wattles (and presumably faces) are very pale and wan looking . They soon get to be a lovely normal red though - you must be doing something right already .

 

I'm sorry I don't know what Kelly may have died of but I think it's not at all uncommon for ex-batts to just keel over soon after being freed. If she was tiny and very bald, she was presumably very weak and poorly before you even got her .

 

I'm sure it's nothing you could have prevented.

[Lydia]

Hello and welcome. I'm sorry to hear about Kelly but I'm sure you did nothing wrong.

 

I've got 7 ex-bats rescued at various times over the last 2 years. I've also lost 3 after only short periods of time. Sometimes they are just too weak and traumatised from their previous life to make it. I've always thought of it as a bit like when you stop work, go on holiday and then get ill because your body is able to stop being stressed.

 

Illness can happen very quickly in hens too - sometimes they just seem to keel over.

 

As long as the rest of your flock are eating, drinking normally and generally behaving like they should, I'm sure they will be fine.

 

At least Kelly had a little time in the open air and a chance to feel sunshine, and you should feel very proud that you gave her that chance.

 

The pink faces are absolutely normal and are in fact a very good sign that you are doing a great job.

 

All the best.

[tooties]

I'm sorry to hear about Kelly, but at least she got to feel a bit of freedom in her life.

 

I have 3 ex bats since end of Feb, and have been worrying about their faces as they have all gone red or pink over the last few days. I had wondered if they had sunburn, so I'm relieved to hear thats what they are supposed to look like!

[homefarm]

thanks everyone who has posted. The hens have spent the day pooping all over the garden and look in great form. Have not got done half the things I wanted to to! They seem fine to me, but Kelly and her sudden death have frightened me a bit thats all xx

[dancing cloud]

So sorry to hear about Kelly - at least she saw daylight and knew kindness in her brief freedom

 

As for the rest, the pinkening of their wattles, combs and faces is a really good sign . My 6 big girls were very pale when they arrived and have all now got red faces, whereas my 3 little girls (free for two weeks tomorrow) were completely white and are just showing hints of colour. Sounds like your girls are doing very well

[Lizzie]

We were worried just the same when we got our first batts. As others have said, you must be doing a grand job nursing them back to health.

Best wishes

 

Liz