Feeding advice for bantams (one broody, one moulting)

[pullusleggus]

My chicken got worse and I couldn't bear to let it go on any further. I took her to the vets on Friday - one week after she had arrived with the eglu and her companion Lottie. She was barely moving and had deteriorated further on the journey to the vets.

 

The vet was extremely kind. She had fitted us in as an emergency but didn't rush us even so. She found a boggy mass in Ridy's gut but said she was too far gone to investigate it further. I asked if she could be put down rather than die naturally as I wasn't sure whether or not she might be suffering - how can you tell? Then I really surprised myself by getting upset and crying. I'd only had Ridy for one week but I was so sorry I'd not taken her sooner. I feel guilty.

 

Lottie seems to be missing Ridy too. She can't settle at night. She keeps coming back out of the eglu and looking around. It is heartbreaking to see. Can chickens miss each other? Or I am I just seeing it because that is how I feel?

[Redwing]

I'm sorry to hear about your hen, they don't show they are ill until they are really ill so you werent to know to take her sooner so don't feel bad

 

The other hen will be lonely on her own and will need a new friend or two (dependin on your set up as two more would mean you don't get left with a lone hen again)

[Egluntyne]

Am I understanding this correctly.....you got her from Omlet one week ago?

 

If so please ring them and let them know what has happened on Monday.

[Henhathnofury]

I am so very sorry. It sounds similar to how we lost our Lottie, who died in the vet's arms in February. That 'boggy mass' was investigated by an autopsy and was found to be huge quantities of dirt that was not passing through her system - a type of strange 'pica' which could have indicate something genetically wrong with her. Sometimes the poor little souls just have faulty things in their body, that can not be detected.

 

Chickens do miss one another. One of my chickens was distraught when we lost Lottie - she searched every inch of the shed where she had last seen her (sitting in a vet box, very ill) But they do recover and make new and firm bonds. But you will have to get your other girl a companion. They are flock animals and one on its own, will be lost.

 

But huge cyber hugs. I understand how you can make bonds with them so quickly....I just connected straight away. So very sad for you. I am sorry that you had to suffer this....

[Snowy]

I am sorry to hear about Ridy, what a horrid start to your chicken keeping

Definitely ring Omlet - when you haven't had a bird very long they are usually very good about replacing them xx

[pullusleggus]

Thank you for the advice and support. I have given Lottie extra attention and treats and definitely plan to get her a companion or two. It is good to know I probably couldn't have saved Ridy even if I'd acted sooner. And I'm glad that Lottie was so nice to her before she died. She didn't pick on her and lay up close to her in the sun when resting.

 

I'll ring Omlet tomorrow and see if they can/will find Lottie a friend soon.

[Henhathnofury]

Remember - come here if ever you feel sad or happy or angry....the folks here are lovely and a lot have already been through a lot of the things that still stress you and I. I wish you luck of your new chickens..if you want to remember Ridy you could plant a shrub in the garden...my daughter made a tiny memorial garden with pretty stones and wild flowers. It's not daft as it does help...you have seen just how quickly they wrap around your heart. Such vulnerable little critters really.