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

[Roxanne]

Hetty has been a super hen up until Friday when she became quiet and yesterday she was hunched in the corner of the outside run. She had white and yellow deposits coming out of her bottom and so I picked her up - not easy as she was a very nervous hen - and cleaned some away then put her down again. She seemed quite swollen down below the vent. She ate some meal worms soaked in Avipro water, but was unsteady on her legs and took time to settle down.

She was no better today and stayed in the nesting box, head hung low. I went over earlier with warm water and cotton wool to clean her and some vaseline, together with some treats for after her clean up. I was holding her under my arm with her head behind me and gently removed the build-up of gunk around her vent. This was all going well when she suddenly struggled violently and then stopped. I think she must have broken her own neck in the struggle to be released, and she died immediately in my arms.

I am devastated as I feel it was my fault she died and if I had left well alone, she would have come through her problem without my intervention.

What do I do now??

[Ain't Nobody Here]

You poor thing . It sounds to me like she was pretty poorly so I'm sure you didn't cause her death . Please don't blame yourself, she was probably sicker than you realised (they can hide illness very well).

 

(((hug)))

[Roxanne]

Thank you, but I do think I am to blame.

She was a very nervous hen and didn't like being handled, unlike the others who adore being picked up.

I have just dug a hole in the garden but cant face putting a 'warm' chicken in it - will wait until tomorrow and have to find a large log to cover it too. Couldn't bear to find her dug up...

[Chucky Mama]

Oh you poor thing. I seriously doubt that she broke her neck during the struggle, you really shouldn't blame yourself although I know you will She was most likely very poorly and the energy she expended during the struggle was just too much. If this was the case she may well not have survived the night Poor you what an awful thing to happen.

[chelsea]

Please don't blame yourself, I do not think you were the cause.

 

Without going into too much graphic detail, I did see my chicken Sam die (heart problem) and it was not pleasant to watch....chickens do "spasm" and flap a lot when passing away, so I would imagine in your circumstance your hen was very poorly to begin with and when you picked her up she went into spasm and died. You would have to do a lot more to break her neck than you describe.

 

So sorry for your loss and it must have been quite frightening for you.

[Groovychook]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear about Hetty

It must've been such an upsetting thing for you to witness.

Like everybody else though, I'm sure you weren't to blame...

 

Thinking of you xx

[Roxanne]

Thank you all - I just can't get the 'what if' out of my mind. Silly really, but I suppose we all do the same thing.

She was a beautiful hen - black and gold and an excellent layer - she went broody twice last year and I thought that was happening this time until all the muck came out of her vent.

My concern now is if she had anything catching?? `Just have to keep an eye on the other girls.

 

We were photographed for 'Woman and Home' magazine a few weeks ago (featuring in the June2010 issue I think) so I will have to ask them if the photographer got any good shots of Hetty for me... they actaully commented on how pretty she was but I used Harriet, my black hen for the close-up photos as she didn't mind being held.

[Egluntyne]

Very sorry to hear it. I agree with the others, she is unlikely to have broken her neck in this way. It isn't all that easy to break a hen's neck. I'm guessing her heart gave out because of the stress of the internal ailment which was causing the gunkiness to come from the vent.

[Dappy Chick]

So so sorry to hear about your hen.

 

I had one die on me in similar circumstances a couple of weeks ago (it was the first time this had happend to me and it totally freaked me out and it was horrific) I, like you, blamed myself but if she was as ill as she sounded it was probably for the best.

 

In the same week that I had one die on me I had another with all the symptoms you describe, I did get that one to the vet and she had got cancer & because of the cancer she also had peritonitus (however it is spelt) so had her PTS as she was really suffering (I had left it far too long before I took her to the vet - another thing to kick myself for).

 

I know it is hard but try and remember all the good times and at least she is not suffering anymore - it really was not your fault

[cathybc]

So sorry to hear about your girl, I am sure it was nothing you did, on the contrary, it sounds as though you were taking good care of her x

[Roxanne]

Thank you for your support - it always helps coming only the forum when you have a problem or something to be excited about.

 

Just buried Hetty and put some slabs on her grave to stop vandalism by the dogs. After keeping her safe for 2 years, I don't think I could cope with a grave robbery.

I suppose in two years I should be grateful this was my first loss as it seems so many other members lose hens at a much faster rate. It has given me a chance to empathise with others though, which is never a bad thing.

 

The other girls looked fine this morning and so far Harriet, Hetty's partner in crime and my other black hen seems to be fine having laid her egg, the only one this morning

I think I am giving them too many treats and they are not eating enough layers mash... so they will be on basic rations for a week now (with the addition of meal worms as 4 are recovering from moult at the moment).

 

Thank you again for your support.

[cluckingmad]

Oh Roxanne, what a horrible experience for you *hugs*. The others are right, chickens hide illness very well, sadly often to the point of no return - sit sounds as if she was very poorly, but you couldn't have stood by and not tried to help.

 

You did the right thing sweetheart x

[Roxanne]

The others are right, chickens hide illness very well, sadly often to the point of no return - sit sounds as if she was very poorly, but you couldn't have stood by and not tried to help.

Thank you so much Cluckingmad (love the name!).

Hetty looked OK, wattles and comb still bright red, but not eating with the others, and for the few hours I put her out yesterday, she stood in the same spot and was closing her eyes quite a bit.

I habitually count them in and out of the hen house (we call it The Winter Palace)every day and it was sad last night and this morning just counting to 7 when they come through the door.

I suppose I need to start thinking of increasing my numbers, there's plenty of room.... maybe in the spring.

[cluckingmad]

Ta

 

I know what you mean - I think everyone who has chickens feels the same way when you count them in at night and there's one little ball of feathers less

 

But, as you so rightly point out, new chickens can be a possibility :D:D And if they're rescues then the reward somehow seems all the greater