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

[Busybird]

We keep chickens for their eggs. Our 3 girls are the childrens pets and are much loved and spoiled but we only have them because they lay eggs (I just don't do pets as surrogate family members).

 

Chestnut stopped laying in April. We did not expect this to happen when she was so young so spent a couple of months trying to 'sort it out' (worming, supplements, rigorous checks for parasites etc.) but to no avail.

 

In the last few weeks she has been acting like a very old chicken. She spent much of her day perching under the patio table rather than searching out tasty snacks in the garden and playing with her friends. In the last week this became even more pronounced. She did not appear to be in pain, just very tired.

 

So, yesterday we depatched her. We all feel sad, even though it was our decision to do it. We now plan to get 2 more POL chickens (although we will wait a couple of weeks).

 

Am I still welcome here?

[LaPoule]

How sad to hear about Chestnut! These things are never an easy decision

 

Of course you are still welcome here! Where are you going to get your new chickens from?

[Busybird]

Thank you La Poule.

 

The children are out digging a hole now to bury Chestnut in. Chestnut was DS1's chicken and he plans to paint a stone and put it over her little grave (I have told them that they must dig deep to prevent foxes exhuming her).

 

I don't know where we will source new chickens. I tried to find the list of breeders that Omlet can provide but can't see it on the site. Has anyone got any little brown hybrids from anywhere in North Wiltshire? We live near Calne and try not to travel far unless essential.

[LaPoule]

I got my POL from Annie Hall's Poultry near Bristol:

http://www.anniehallspoultry.co.uk/

 

Not sure if that is too far from you. They are both excellent layers, though I suspect that the prices are a bit steep...

[Chucky Mama]

I got mine from somewhere near Minety if you want I can dig out the details.

[Busybird]

Thinking of new chickens is such a positive and happy thing and I have loads of questions so will start a new thread for that...

 

We have just buried Chestnut and OH has taken the kids over to his parents to take their minds off it.

 

This was always how we intended to keep hens but Chestnut was the first to be despatched and so much earlier than we anticipated. OH reckons it will get easier.

 

I guess a lot of you will consider me fairly awful It's not really the Omlet way...

[chick wiggle]

Hi Busybird

Dont feel guilty about doing somthing that sounds like it was the right thing to do. I think there are quite a few omleteers who keep 'dinner' birds so thats no excuse for missing out on your fix of chicken crazyness

[Jules.]

We dispatched our 3 boys yesterday

[Busybird]

Hi Jules. Was this your first 'dispatch' experience? I felt quite shaky after ours and it was OH who did the deed

[Jules.]

No.

I went on the course in April, then helped my friend dispatch his dinner bird a couple of months ago.

 

I'm still feeling quite about the whole thing, but that was the reason we the Light Sussex breed, them being a dual-utility bird.

[Space Chick]

From the way you describe Chesnuts behaviour, it sounds like she might have been ill too. Being that despondent is often a sign of sickness, so you may have ended her suffering.

[ubereglu]

Of course you can still be an Omleteer. We had to do a similar thing with Henrietta-except we took her back to where we bought her from and he did the deed. She was very despondant and had got really skinny and barely moved-so it was the best thing for her.

 

So, what type of chickens are you now hoping to get?

[Ms Tilytinkle]

Hello BusyBird

 

Bless you & yours. May I just add, from my humble opinion!! For me there isn't just the 'Omlet' way, I guess there is no 'specific' Omlet way other than everyone seems caring responsible kind considerate owners> All seem to show the same kindness & the same considerate ways to our chooks;from all I've read. Plus, we all seem to do what's right for each individual of our own unique flock - what suits our findings & considerations best - whether they be pets or not. Excuse my cheeky reasoning erm - but - if you really were concerned what others may think - why post specifics - why open the specific details up for approval or disapproval You seem more than qualified, caring & sensible to decide whats best for your chooks.

 

We bought ours 'just for laying' but now a year & a half on .. we all absolutely adore their little personalities which we had no idea chickens had!! The grieving process, the loss etc is all part of life so its been a huge learning curve too when our teenagers first chicken died . Chicken keeping covers a whole range or wonderful life's lessons I had no idea we would experience. . . responsibility, consequences, nurturing & caring, seeing how my daughter insisted on probing for the bound egg in the egg bound chook - the way she scoured these forums searching for what to do to assist her poorly chicken etc. I'm sure you children will learn much from your chooks' keeping, how you care for them, your attitude towards life, illness etc .. as well as where the eggs come from I wish I had the stomach for dispatching etc but not as yet!!!

 

Tee hee and you know I doubt many, if any of us, do the pets as a surrogate family... rather just an extension to, an additional clan, for the frustrated small holding & menagerie in us all actually an extended chirpy cheerful, never hormonal or moody ( except when broody) non demanding, cheape & easy to please .. often easier to please than family ha ha

 

Hope you find a local breeder too.

 

Ms Tillyhopesyou&yoursarewellandfindsomelovelynewchookssoon

[Egluntyne]

I despatched Anton Du Beake yesterday too.

 

Having been totally silent he decided to announce his presence to the entire neighbourhood at 4.45am. By 6am he was in the freezer.

 

He was a lovely boy and we enjoyed the experience of having him, but this was always the plan.

[Hen Watch]

Busybird, you are very brave to dispatch her yourself. Pardon the pun but I would be too "chicken" to do it. But I would like to think that I could if I had to.

 

Good luck finding some new hens.

[BeckyBoo]

Hi there, hope your children cope with it all, I've only dealt with two boys who went for the table and I had to get someone to help me do it. My children got over it surprisingly quickly (although they wouldn't eat them) but yes, I found it a very major thing to do. I felt very "alive" afterwards, - not excited, but very aware of lots of things, - this may sound very stupid but although I always intended to despactch them and I wanted it done quickly and cleanly, it still shocked me the actual killing bit and I'm not squeamish.

I think it's right that you felt wobbly after, shows that you didn't take her life for granted and weren't blase about taking her life when the time came. I'd be more worried if you weren't bothered at all! And at least you know that, if they are sick, you can deal with them kindly and humanely. THAT'S the Omlet way!

 

BeckyBoo

[bluekarin]

We got our hybrid Nova Ranger from here http://www.eden-livestock.co.uk/index.htm Its out in Winterbourne Stoke near to the A303.

 

You are very brave. It's a hard decision, but you have to do whats right for you.

[missdiane]

I despatched Anton Du Beake yesterday too.

 

Having been totally silent he decided to announce his presence to the entire neighbourhood at 4.45am. By 6am he was in the freezer.

 

 

I know it's not funny, but your wording did make me laugh

[Busybird]

Thank you everyone.

 

DS1 shed a few tears last night for his chook but the children were all part of the decision to dispatch and have coped well.

 

Ms Tilytinkle wrote

 

if you really were concerned what others may think - why post specifics - why open the specific details up for approval or disapproval

 

The whole plan and procedure was playing on my mind and this forum is where I go for chicken related musings. I wanted to 'talk through' how I was feeling and hoped I could reach some folks who understand how I feel.

 

We have a camping trip coming up so will wait until after that to get two new girlies. DS1 will get to choose but I am hoping to source a couple of POL hybrids. Thanks for the info on suppliers local to here.

 

I know that this really isn't an amusing subject but I have a picture in my head of Egluntine, marching through her garden in her pyjamas at dawn and 'silencing' Anton Du Beake in an instant

[The Dogmother]

I know that this really isn't an amusing subject but I have a picture in my head of Egluntine, marching through her garden in her pyjamas at dawn and 'silencing' Anton Du Beake in an instant

 

She probably did, and wearing her woolly hat too

[Saronne]

 

"Having been totally silent he decided to announce his presence to the entire neighbourhood at 4.45am. By 6am he was in the freezer."

 

 

I was tempted to do that to one of my drunken neighbours last week!

 

 

Saronne x