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

[Lucia]

When I left for work this morning all four girls were bright and healthy, but came home to have only three run to the run gate to greet me. On further investigations I found Jennifer lying in the bottom of the run at the back.

 

I gave the others some corn so I could go and get her (though it was obvious she was gone).

 

Her whole bottom had gone - she was hollow!

I found two eggs in the nesting box one of which was very bloody. I think she must have prolapsed and then the others pecked her to death. Thats the only explanation I can come up with especially seeing how dirty the others faces are.

 

I just feel terrible - as I was leaving this morning she was just going into the nesting box to lay - I didnt think anything of it as she has never had any problems and was a good layer as well as being fit and healthy.

 

My poor girl - if I had been at home I might have saved her. Just feel terrible, what a horrible way to go she must have been in so much pain. I know its daft but I could hardly look at the others.

 

RIP Jennifer, I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you.

[Budgies]

Oh my goodness, how horrible for you, so sorry to hear that.

 

Unfortunately chickens are very much programmed to peck at blood, so your theory is borne out by that. You can't blame them however, it's so hardwired into them.

 

Please don't blame yourself either, you couldn't help not being there.

 

Such a shock for you. I hope you can remember Jennifer's life with you with pleasure very soon.

 

RIP Jennifer.

[Lucia]

Thanks Budgies - I don't blame them (anymore than I could blame the cat when he caught the budgie when left for a second), it as just such a shock .

 

Just wish I had been here.

[Egluntyne]

A nasty shock for you.

[poachedegg]

Poor Jennifer and hugs to you.

x

[Chucky Mama]

What a horrible shock, I am so sorry

[Chickvic]

So sorry to hear about Jennifer

[Ain't Nobody Here]

How awful, I'm so sorry . There was absolutely nothing you could have done - even if you had been there, her prolapse may have been too bad to treat anyway .

[Guest]

what a terrible shock for you! You can't blame yourself for not being there, we can't watch over our girls 24/7 so don't you dare blame yourself! Chances are the prolapse killed her and the others just took advantage. Sadly, that's mother nature

 

Try not to blame the others, I know it's hard. Sending big hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Lucia]

Thanks - Just feel like I let her down.

I left for work earlier this morning - if I had left at my usual time I would probably seen her and been able to either help her/take her to vet or at least have her PTS.

 

Feeling terribly guilty and sad. She was the friendliest and sweetest out of all of them too.

 

 

[Guest]

It's natural to feel like that, when my girls passed away I blamed myself for not spotting their symptoms sooner, but we love our girls and do the very best for them but sometimes tragic things happen

 

Don't be so hard on yourself, easy to say I know xxxx

[Daphne]

I'm sorry to hear your news, what a very nasty shock for you, thankfully its something most of us are spared but we can imagine how its added to your upset. RIP Jennifer

[Groovychook]

How awful, I can't imagine how upsetting that must have been. I really feel for you...

Sending you lots of love. xx

[Space Chick]

I'm so sorry

[Scramble]

really sorry

((hugs))

[Eggquisite]

Oh that's really sad... really sorry to hear your news Lucia

 

I can imagine you must have been devastated to find poor Jennifer like that but as everyone has said, it really sounds like there was nothing you could have done.

 

Really sorry

[Lucia]

Thanks everyone - feel a bit better now - think it was just the shock of finding her like that.

 

Emily has a crusty head so I suspect she is the one that 'cleaned' out Jen - not sure I will be eating any of her egss for a day or two - Im a bit squeamish like that.

 

On a more practical level, Hubby wants to bury her in the garden - but a friend tells me that its illegal? Anyone know?

[Redwing]

So sorry

[Daphne]

I don't know if its illegal or not but lots of backyard keepers bury the odd bird. You need to make sure she is deep enough to stop foxes digging - perhaps put a slab/hard core down on top. Many people then plant something nearby as a memory as well.

[Seagazer]

I'm so sorry to hear about poor Jennifer. Very sad