chickenlegs Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Well sunday started off ok, let the girls out put up some xmas deccy's, noticed Flo had gone in as usual to lay her egg, after a while heard Eadie boc-bocing (which normally means Flo's mission is accomplished) kept looking out cause I wanted to do some odd jobs in the run but no sign of Flo and I don't like to disturb her, then after what was becoming a very long time went out to check and there in the nest was one of her beautiful eggs with poor Flo laying beside it on the roosting bars dead, I was so shocked she has showed no signs of being unwell and indeed had plumped and feathered up really well, now I have only eadie and the prob of finding her friends, bo the other ex-batt passed away in august but that wasn't such a surprise she never really picked up like the other two and was always alittle frail. My worries are two fold it isn't the best time of year for newbies, daylight hours are scarce and I would struggle to spend time with them as I work shifts and secondly eadie is/was top chook, would the strain of keeping her position be too much. Know this is an ungodly hour but just got in and needed to tell somebody who would understand any and all advice welcome Theresa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 So so sorry to hear your sad news but take comfort that it was quick and peaceful. Others have been through this, wondering what to do with one hen, so they are perhaps best placed to give advice, but there are chickens around still. Maybe a docile ( thick?) breed like Orpington would be an idea? Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Sorry to hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 So sorry to hear what happened. I got my first two in November last year and even though it's such short days there's still your days off and I used got to know mine and now seeing how dark it is all the time I don't know how. I would think she will be lonely and pine alone. Good luck whatever you decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 I'm sorry to hear that, what a shock for you . I think a new friend for Eadie is a good idea, even with the dark days and cold. You would probably be best getting 2 though, in case something similar happens again (which I'm sure it won't). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Sad news to hear. If it were me I'd find her a friend. They might hit it off as Edie will appreciate the company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 What a nasty shock Theresa, but at least it was a quick end and she had shared months of freedom with you and your family RIP Flo Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 So sorry xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 So sorry to hear about Flo. RIP little Flo. You gave her freedom and love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahsausage Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Oh gosh, how awful for you, what a shock, I'm so sorry The only comfort is that she passed peacefully, bless Flo xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooties Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 So sorry to hear about Flo!! I've recently been in the same position - one little ex-bat left after a sad death and I hadn't planned to get any more till the Summer. Lilly was on her own for quite a few wks - prob at least 4 wks as I was dithering whether to re-home her or not as we are moving house shortly. But I could tell she was starting to change - she didn't like to come out of her run, she had lost confidence. I finally sourced some new chickens and Lilly is now in her element! She is 2nd in comand now, and likes to give the bottom chooks a peck as they go past, but no serious squabbling. I was worried about integrating them with the dark nights as I too work full time and you barely get to see them during the wk. The people I bought my chooks from said Lilly might be glad of the company and therefore it might be easier to integrate them. I got a run extention for the eglu, extra glug and grub, plenty of things in the run to distract them, and went for it!! They FR on that first afternoon, and then I shut them in the run with an additional place to sleep. They all chose to sleep in the eglu with Lilly apart from the daft one Ninny who decided to sleep on top of the alternative accomodation! I popped her into the eglu and they've all been together ever since. I was ready to split the run with bamboo canes if need be, and I had purple pecking spray on hand just in case, but I didn't need either. As for it being so dark, I planned to get mine on a Sat morning and took an extra day off to keep an eye on them. I've also been signed off work for a week with the flu after that, so I've had plenty of time to make sure they're not fighting. But originally I was thinking that the extra time off at Xmas was going to be handy to spend a bit more time with them. Hope all goes well with whatever you decide to do x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlegs Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 Thanks all, think I'll have to take the plunge and get at least two more or possibly three, does anyone else have four chooks in their eglu? they would have the WIR, was wondering about putting one of those flat pack coops off ebay in run, they're not very nice full time but think it would be sufficient for intros, they come with coop off ground and are surrounded by their own little run, works out a little expensive but could always dismantle it and keep it for emergencies, it just is so cold that my summertime solution of catbox in puppy cage is not feasible. Does eadie need extra warmth i.e. heating pad at night now that she is alone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Good plan to get at least two more - I'm planning on having five sleeping n an Eglu, lots of people with WIRs say that five fit in ok, so as long as you have enough run for them, I think four would be fine. I did an introduction in January this year using a separate run and a cat-box, and my advice would be to use the cat-box as a temporary roost only and I would put them in the Eglu to sleep together after dark. The advantage of this time of year is that the days are short, and so you don't have to get up too early to separate them. I know you say you work shifts, so this might not work for you, but Pippi used to go to sleep in the cat-box at dusk, and then I'd lift her out and pop her in the run when I got in from work - any time from 6.00 - 10.00 pm, depending if I'd been out after work. Then in the morning I would fish her out again and put her back in the separate run for daytime. You could put the cat-box inside a large cardboard box, or wrap it with a towel or blanket to make it a bit warmer, but I don't think they'll be too cold especially if it's only for a few hours - chickens don't mind cold too much. This way Eadie will have some feathery friends at night to keep her warm, so you won't need to worry about her either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busybird Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 So sorry to hear about Flo - what an awful shock for you I have four chooks in an Eglu and mine don't even have the luxury of a WIR. The only issue is if they all want to lay at the same time - we sometimes end up with an eggy on the roosting bars. They all seem healthy and happy though Good luck getting some new girls. I am sure that Eadie will appreciate having some friends to play with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlu Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 So sorry to hear your awful news! I do hope you find some friends for her asap! I took the advice of Henrehomers about having a minimum of 3 so that 1 is never left alone but I must say that one of my girls a bit of a loner and the others still pick on her sometimes 6 months later! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 So sorry to hear about Flo and I'm sure she had a lovely time with you and her feathery friends. I expect Eadie will appreciate some new friends when you feel ready to get her some. After all, she will now be the "big" girl who can show the newbies what to do and nothing keeps a top-chook happier than having others to boss around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 sorry to hear your sad news x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 How sad for you, at least she lived a happy life with you and that her passing was quick and painless. xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
