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

[eggy_peg]

Hi - just popped out to check my two girls - both just over 3 years old and regular healthy layers. Found one lying on her side struggling - comb very purple! She tried to get up but her neck was all floppy and within less than a minute she had died. No sign of wounds or blood. She had been running around apparently perfectly healthy just half an hour before. Neither girl has ever been ill. Any ideas what could have happened? I'm worried that she might have eaten something in the garden - very concerned for my one remaining girl now. Also - can anyone tell me how my one girl will get on now - will she pine? She looks so lonely in her eglu - they've been together since they were eggs. Should I get another chick as soon as poss?

[ted]

So sorry to hear about your chick. I can't help with diagnosis but i believe that they quite often "hide" being ill and not showing any symptoms. If they seem to be ill they can get picked on so its a sort of defense mechanism. In terms of the other one pining I think yes she will. many people keep 3 chickens as a minimum so that if one is lost there is always company for the others. They are very social...

 

Sorry again...

[Christian]

Hello Eggy_peg and welcome to the forum. Sorry your first post is such a sad one

 

A purple comb could indicate heart trouble. As Ted has suggested, it is often a survival technique to hide being poorly, but she clearly went quickly and is no longer in pain.

 

I would get a couple of chickens to keep your remaining hen company. There will probably be a bit of trouble when you first introduce them to each other, but the pecking order will soon be sorted and things will settle.

 

Good luck with the introductions.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

So sorry to hear that, eggy_peg . What a shock for you . I think a purple comb is a sign of a heart problem so there was nothing you could have done .

 

Your remaining girl will definitely need company - it would make sense to get 2 to make the introductions easier and also in case the same thing (highly unlikely) happened again.

 

There are good threads on introduction somewhere, can't quite find them just now!

 

Welcome to the forum, by the way, sorry your first post was a sad one .

 

 

(Edit: looks like I've just copied Christian, didn't, honest )

[chelsea]

so sorry to hear about your hen.

[WitchHazel]

So sorry to hear your news

 

Hazel

[margotthechicken]

I'm on my mum's account because I am having a problem too. Dog Got Clucky is the post, but anyway. I lost 2 hens to a fox, which was horrible because i was at school, so i didn't know. I hope that your other hen is ok and i think the best idea is to get new girls, that's what i did. It is horrible when a hen dies because you get attached to them- they have personalities. i hope you and your chook are well. It really is horrible- lots of us have experienced it. She's going to the nest box in the sky, she'll be happy. No doubt!

 

Ellie

xx

[eggy_peg]

Thanks so much for all your kind wishes. I'm glad I have good news to tell you! Took the advice and bought a couple of new girls - a very young black hen and a lovely silkie bantam. It was a bit difficult for a week or so - my original hen was really wicked and not at all grateful for the company! But we persevered and suddenly all the aggression disappeared and they're now best buddies - she even lets the young Blackrock share her nest! Got my first Bantam egg yesterday too!

[WitchHazel]

That's great news! Hope there will be pics soon...?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

That's good news . I'm glad you've got it all sorted .

[Plum]

Congratulations on your new girls. Glad to hear its gone well.

[Egluntyne]

Congratulations. Good to hear that they are all getting on.