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

[Scrambled egg]

 

Only last night my beautiful gingernut ranger passed away to heatstroke. We were giving her iced baths and had fans on, and the windows and backdoor were open. She was the first pet I have ever lost and I am utterly devestated. You must keep your chickens cool, otherwise you might have to face the same ordeal I have.

Keep 'em cool

[Chucky Mama]

I am so sorry to hear you news, how sad. What sort of set up do you have for your chooks out of interest. Were they in an Eglu or Cube. Mine free range during the day and have dug themselves various holes under large shaded shrubs. I am wondering if this is enough.

[hennymom]

So sorry to hear of your loss.... it has indeed been scorching, our were getting quite warm, and we put our big patio paraso(taking the bottom half of to shorten it) and put it into its weighted base along with a cat litter tray full of water just on the outer edge of the brolly... our hens sit under the parasol when it gets hot, and yesterday were demanding sun glasses!! hope the rest of your girls are ok its difficult to know what to do and how far to go to help them keep cool, we have also taken left our coop door open and have screwed a metal frame on the inside of the door with a bolt on so they get some nice cool air through the house during the night and as it is the heavy concrete style grilling there is no chance of predators...very good luck and take care

[ubereglu]

Sorry to hear about this. My hens have been outside in the garden the last few days and have been hiding under hedges and coming out for drinks, they seem ok.

[Scrambled egg]

Chucky mama,

 

We keep them in a normal eglu (not the cube) With about 4 extensions because my mum is paranoid they didn't have enough space. Our last chicken does now

[sandyhas3chucks]

[Mutrix Farmers]

sorry to hear about this.

 

I was concerned that my chickens were to shady but I don't think they can have too much shade!

[Chucky Mama]

Chucky mama,

 

We keep them in a normal eglu (not the cube) With about 4 extensions because my mum is paranoid they didn't have enough space. Our last chicken does now

 

Poor you, I really feel for you

[Seagazer]

Oh I am so sorry to hear this.

 

I've got an omlet shade on the side of my run, I put a huge sheet up over another two sides, a parasol at the front and they have 3 drinking points and a huge garden saucer thing which they could stand in if they want but they still seem very hot in there. I'm not sure there is much more you can do really.

[Chucky Mama]

I was looking at these:

 

http://www.overstock.com/Gifts-Flowers/Dog-Crate-Cooling-System/3899993/product.html?sec_iid=33969

 

I used to retail a 'cage fan' which in theory was great as it would stop if it came into contact with a paw, tongue etc so it was very safe for use with animals. However I stopped when I realised that some people may have been buying them to 'enable' them to leave in hot cars. I actually sat in a hot car and tested it out and it shifted so little air that it was useless. This one looks better although it may also not shift enough air to make it worthwhile.

 

Just a thought as if they are any good they may clip to the side of a run

[mrsallen08]

I am so sorry.

 

One of my hens looked very poorly on wednesday. she was sleeping a lot and wasnt stable on her legs. tbh i thought she was dying. i took her out of the WIR and put her in the shade and made her drink some water. after about 4 hours she wasnt much better but standing more and drinking by herself. i put her to bed as usual and the next day she was fine. i am convinced it was just the heat that had affected her.

 

we just have to be extra vigilant in the heat.

[Spuddy]

Our last chicken does now

 

Sorry to hear about Penny, one of our first chooks, also a Ginger Nut Ranger got attacked by a fox three years back and (despite trips to the vet) died the next day. We were gutted as she was the friendliest of the group and our favourite chook so I know how you feel. It will pass though.

 

Important though is that you mentioned only having one remaining; I'm pretty sure that I read somewhere that chooks are sociable creatures and will suffer for being solitary birds so maybe it would be a good idea to think about a new friend or two for her.

Maybe someone could confirm this?

 

We buried Ginger in the garden and planted a memorial shrub (an Elder) in the place she was buried. It's now HUGE!

 

Anyway big hugs from us all here and keep your chin up

 

 

Spuddy

[Olly]

Yes Spuddy, you're right - I was just going to post the same thing!

 

Chickens really get lonely on their own, obviously you can never replace Penny and you probably don't want to rush into anything, but your remaining hen will really appreciate having some new friends to snuggle up to at night. I wouldn't leave her on her own for more than a week or so, speak to your mum about it and say how important it is for her not to be lonely. Most breeders won't sell you just one hen, but if you get two then they will all be ok in an Eglu with an extension.

 

Very sorry to hear about Penny.

[Scrambled egg]

We just buried Penny in the garden. She was put in her favorite place to have dust baths with her sister. I bought some roses for her and she's resting peacefully. She might be peaceful but I am far from it. I just can't seem to stop crying.

[emmamakeup]

Really sorry to hear about that. I'd be devastated if one of my girls died now as they are very much part of our family and I love having them around.

 

We've got our eglu at the edge of the garden with large bushes shading one side and at the moment we have our gazebo up without the sides on but it gives the chooks quite a good amount of shade.

[Chickvic]

I'm sorry to hear that

[Spuddy]

We just buried Penny in the garden. She was put in her favorite place to have dust baths with her sister. I bought some roses for her and she's resting peacefully. She might be peaceful but I am far from it. I just can't seem to stop crying.

 

That's a good idea.

It will be comforting to know that she's laid to rest somewhere she loved to be in.

 

Don't worry about crying, crying is good. We both cried for days after we lost Ginger (our first pet loss too) even though we're both much older than you, it still hurts.

Crying really helps though, it's not a bad thing, it's the natural way to get over things like this.

 

Keep going, you'll feel better soon.

 

Spuddy

[Scrambled egg]

I thought I was getting better today. I only cried once during my dance class which is an improvement on yesterday at school as I had to be sent home within the first 15 minutes because they couldn't stop me crying. Now I realize it's not tears as much anymore but more pain. I hate this so much. If I had one wish it would be to bring her back. I'm so upset. The only place I feel comforted is on the omlet website, but I can't be on it all the time.

[Egluntyne]

You will feel better and more accepting of the situation in a few days.

 

Many of us have found that the best way to get over losing a chicken is to get some more.

[Olly]

Sorry you're still feeling so upset, Pennyforever - chickens really do get close to your heart, don't they.

 

It will get easier though, and as Egluntine says, getting some more chickens might help and it will make your lonely remaining hen much happier too.

[sandyhas3chucks]

Penny, I do hope the morning finds you a little better.

You must console yourself that she went quickly, and at home with you, I felt soooooo bad when I lost my 1st 2 a day apart, and just like you "if only one wish". Who would ever have thpught a chicken could hurt so bad to lose.

Give your other one lots of attention and find her a friend!

thinking of you. sending omlet hugs

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Pennyforever, I hope you feel better in the morning. It's always hard to lose a pet .

[Scrambled egg]

We just got our remaining chicken (mudweasel) a friend. She came over to me in the pen, and kept looking at me so I thought she was the one for us. She looks like Penny, but she can never be the same. We are completely stuck on what to call her though. Does anyone have any ideas that could suit a gingernut ranger look-alike?

Still aching for Penny

[sandyhas3chucks]

oh that IS good news. Don't worry about a name too quickly, sometimes as you get to know them, their personality will give you ideas!

Know just what you mean, she will always hold a "special" place in your heart, but you will make space to love the others to follow

[Chucky Mama]

Oh I am so pleased that you have a new chicken Pennyforever. It will make grieving for your dear Penny a little easier. Sometimes a distraction like this is the only thing to get you through such a painful time. It sounds like your new chicken chose you I'd like to think that it was fate I think that like sandyhas3chucks said that a new name will spring into your head when you get to know her a little better. Keep us posted on how she settles and also on how you are feeling.