Chicken boarders

[purplefowler]

I am slightly in shock. As some of you will know we had to return knickers the first to omlet due to poor health and got replacement, KnickersII. All was absolutely fine once she got over the settling in period. Everyone was fine this morning, all three came rushing out when I let them out this morning and made straight for their food as usual. We went for a day out to the zoo today so they stayed in their run and when we got back poor knickersII was dead. I can't believe it, we are all gutted. There were 3 eggs in the nest box and no signs of any problems. There is alittle blood on her back leg, but I think that might have been the other 2 trying to move her or being curious. No sign or any discharge front and back, no wounds, eyes are dry and no diarrhea. I can't understand it. Only yesterday she was hopping into the kitchen to find any corn that I had dropped. The only thing I can think of is that something has spooked her. We have decided that we will change the name next time as it must be cursed. I just wish we knew the cause. It is just horrible.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'm so sorry to hear that . What a shock for you .

[Budgies]

Oh my goodness, PurpleFowler, what a huge shock for you!!

 

I'm so sorry to think that your introduction to keeping chooks is turning out to be such a rollercoaster ride.

 

From your description I would be inclined to think she just had a heart attack or stroke, which is quite a common way for them to go I'm afraid.

 

I hope you can take some comfort from the knowledge that she didn't suffer.

 

My sympathies to you.

[purplefowler]

Thanks for your kind thoughts. Would there be any signs that I would see for either strokes or heart attacks? I am now worried that something might happen to the other 2 although so far we have had no problems (touch wood!).

[cathybc]

sorry to hear about Knickers II x

[fluffyfeet]

So sorry to hear about Knickers II.

I lost one of my girls in similar circumstances - she was absolutely fine, I went out for a couple of hours and when I came back she looked like she'd fallen over asleep.

I have heard of a thing called 'flip over' syndrome and they literally do just that - flip.

Don't let it put you off though - my chickens keep me the right side of sane.

 

Dawn x

[tidygirlsuk]

sorry to hear this.

[Budgies]

No PurpleFowler, no obvious signs of heart attack that I'm aware of.

 

I would think it's safe to say that it was that though

 

The good news is that it seems very unlikely she was ill with anything that might be transmitted to your other girls.

 

Just such a shock for any chicken owner to find their pet has gone so quickly.

[purplefowler]

Thanks everyone again, it is good to know we have support. We decided to jump right back in today and took a trip to our local petting farm which sells chooks and now have 2 more rhode island/sussex Xs settling in. We have called one knickers III (I know we said that would be enough knickers, but my youngest couldn't think of another name that we could agree on!) and the other we haven't named yet. I thought there is no point dwelling on things and the boys were quite upset yesterday so I thought we should do some positive. I went for 2 this time as Knickers II had abit of a tough time settling in on her own. So far so good, afew little pecks but nothing too major. I have another query, but I will do a different thread for that. Hopefully all will be ok this time and our run of bad luck is over

[katieadams]

Fingers crossed

[Budgies]

Glad to hear you've got some more, I have my fingers crossed for you and for Knickers III!!

[purplefowler]

So far so good, usual pecking squabbles but not too bad. We have changed her name though, it really didn't seem right, especially after the simpsons the other night when they kept getting cats and calling them all snowball and each one met a sticky end. She is now called Florence! The other one is still nameless as we just can't agree. Somehow Professor Poopypants just doesn't suit a chicken