Reikiranf Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 I saw a fox in the garden just before midday today sniffing around the Eglu & run and ran out to chase it away, then we checked on the chickens and found Mimi dead in the Eglu, she must only just have gone as she was still warm. So now I only have Lulu and I have brought her into the conservatory, she's in a large cat carrier has had a pedicure and seems perfectly happy I have been letting her out and she uses the cat scratching post as a perch and quite likes the sofa but I really don't know what to do as I know she shouldn't be on her own but I'm in a state at moment anyway as my Dad died on Tuesday, and I lost my cat Lily in August and Yum Yum just before Christmas and now Mimi, DH says we should get a couple more chooks asap but I'm not sure if I want to in this weather, as I don't think I can cope with any more loss. I would very much appreciate your suggestions please I really can't think straight at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Oh my goodness I really feel for you, I am so sorry If you dont want to get two new chooks I would keep your lone hen in at night as she will get a bit cold by herself and just let her out during the day Introductons can be a bit stressful at times and at this point you need to thnk about you and your emotional family needs, if your little hen is fed and watered and warm at night thats all you need to do for her, she will be fine until you feel up to getting more hens x x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 I am so sorry to hear about your Dad and your girls. I agree with your hubby, but understand where you are coming from on being unable to cope with another loss. Your girl will be OK for a week or so on her own I am sure, so maybe wait until the cold snap is over? You attention needs to be elsewhere now. Sending hugs xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 I'm so sorry about your Dad . No wonder you're feeling so down and this is must just be the last straw . Perhaps getting a couple of new girls might help take your mind off it? I agree with Redwing, though, there's no hurry if you don't feel up to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Oh my gosh, im so sorry for all your losses No wonder you cant think straight I agree with the previous posts, it may help to take your mind off of things and would keep Lulu company. All the best xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Just want to say I am sorry to hear all you are going through. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Very sorry to hear about your father. Your hen will manage on her own so long as her basic needs are met. Under such difficult circumstances, there isn't really any other option as your thoughts will be elsewhere. Is there someone nearby who could 'foster' her for you for a week or two? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 I am very sorry indeed to hear your news, my sympathies are with you. Its one of the biggest shocks any of us will have to go through, so no wonder you are finding it hard to think straight. The others are right, Lulu will be fine in the short term on her own, perhaps bring her in at night if this cold wind persists and do give her some warming food (eg pellets in warm water and corn if you have it) during the day - perhaps your OH could help with this? Other than that - put your needs first. If you would like more hens get them when you are ready, but don't feel under any pressure - Lulu is probably tougher than you right now! But if you don't feel up to it, then thats fine as well - your emotional responses will be very strong at the moment so for your own wellbeing just go with them. What about Egluntyne's suggestion - do you have a friend or neighbour who could hen-sit for you for a bit? If you wanted to go that route you could ask on here as well I'm sure, if it would help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Sorry about Mimi x Thinking of you and your family after the sad loss of your Dad xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Just wanted to say that I'm so sorry to hear about the rotten time you've been having. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beulah59 Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 I'm so sorry life is difficult just now ... Lulu will cope until you're ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Oh I'm so sorry. You have had a sad time. I'm sure you're little chook will be fine until you can add to the flock again. Lots of hugs. RIP little Mimi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Can't offer advice on hen front but sending love and hugs. you are going thro it. hope you feel up to getting new hens soon Ali X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reikiranf Posted January 9, 2010 Author Share Posted January 9, 2010 Thank you all for your advice, I have the added complication of my Mum being disabled due to arthritis and being an insulin dependent diabetic, she also lives over 50 miles from me, so my brother & I will be doing shifts by staying with her to make sure she's ok. I don't really want to part up with Lulu as she's a lovely girl but I'm not sure that DH & DS will give her the necessary attention in my absence & she'll have to stay in the conservatory as I'm too scared to leave her in the Eglu & run with a fox on the prowl, but if someone did want to foster her how would they do it? Is it not the same as trying to integrate a new girl? Would it be better for her if I bought a large dog cage type thing for the conservatory? As that way when DH & DS are at work & school she'll have more space, obviously I let her out of the cat carrier when we're indoors and she has the run of the kitchen and conservatory much to the cats disgust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mini chick Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 i know how you feel ,i lost both my parents 10 months apart.thats one of the reasons i got chickens in the first place ,to help take my mind off it all.when i feel down i go out and spend some time with them or watch them through the window ,they always make me smile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Reikiranf If you need help with your sole girl do let us know, I'm sure there will be local Omleteers around. I don't know where you are in Kent but occasionally I come down to Tonbridge, Ashford or Folkestone. If you think you can't cope with her just shout! Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Poor you I am so sorry to hear your news..it must feel like the world is crashing in on you...Your little girl will be fine in your conservatory and I am sure your DH and DS will want to look after her extra-specially well to take the worry away from you...the main thing right now is to look after yourself so that you can deal with the things that need to be done...Animals are generally very tough ...Lulu will take each day as it comes...if only we could do that! Take care, and love and hugs at this very distressing time xxxxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 As silly as it may sound, instead of buying a dog crate for her, could you bring the eglu run into the conservatory and put it on some newspaper or even just one half of it? She may be better in there with a bit more space bit still confined, and its easily done leaving you more time to look after yourself/family. As others have said, in the long term she'll need a couple of new friends but you have enough going on. I'm sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Hi so sorry to hear that your Dad has passed away so recently. You do have a lot to bear just now. Please don't worry about getting company for your little hen - she will be just fine for a while. Please don't forget to look after yourself at this time although I know it's hard to do sometimes. Sincere condolences. Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 As silly as it may sound, instead of buying a dog crate for her, could you bring the eglu run into the conservatory Thats not a bad dea, if you remove the second half of the run the end panel fits to the remainder (its too big but it does attach ok) this makes a 1m run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 So sorry to hear about your Dad x Your little hen will be fine until you are ready to get new hens. As Lewis said, bringing the eglu run in would be a good idea. Good luck and big hugs x Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fur 'n' Feathers Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Just caught this Reikiranf. How terribly sad it must be for you at present. Hold on in there & don't worry about your hen too much right now. We're sure she'll manage short term and then the weather will improve and you can consider what to do then. Thinking of you. F&F x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 Reiki, we've alread been in contact so you know how sorry I am about your Dad. If you would like me to look after Lulu then you know I would. I'm so sorry about Mimi, thats all you need at the moment. Its a shame I've just given Cookie's puppy crate away as that would have worked well in your conservatory. If there's anything I can do please ring me. Annx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 Oh I'm sorry, you are going through such a difficult time with the loss of your Dad and caring for your Mum and now the loss of Mimi too The others have given you excellent advice for Lulu. We've had a chicken indoors for a fortnight in a cat carrier (= bedroom) and a large cardboard box cut in two halves and laid out flat for a run area. She'll be just fine in your conservatory. New chickens can wait until you're ready to think about them, You have enough on your plate right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emchook Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your dad . Sometimes it can help to try and distract yourself and maybe new chickens will help ... but you should just do what feels right for you at the moment.. The chicken will be ok . Look after yourself ! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
