Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[Cloud9]

Hi all, as some of you know I have posted recently about one of my chickens. Well sadly my chicken died yesterday morning and I am so so upset.

 

This is the second one in about as many months. I am particularly sad that this chicken died as a week ago I really thought she was going to die but I syringe fed her food and water for three days and then bought her lots of added treats/vitamins etc and only Friday she was looking so much better. I think she had a stroke as she was in a heap outside the coop door and couldn't get up. I picked her up and tried to stand her up as I noticed her leg was out at a strange angle behind her but she couldn't stand and dragged herself into the nest box and just laid with her head down in a really awkward manner. By the time I got hubby out of bed to have a look at her (he works nights) she had passed away. I'm devastated and feel so so guilty that I've killed her as I didn't take her to the vet. I was going to but my usual vet doesn't do chickens and she had really perked up and I thought she had turned a corner. She was very slow walking but I thought that was because she was still weak from being so poorly and just needed extra tlc and building up.

 

Now I am left with one chicken who is running around the run like a loony. Do chickens pine? I really don't know what to do. Should I see if my friend would like her as she has loads of chickens or do I get her some new companions? The trouble is I had never had chickens before and I feel such a novice and that I am obviously not right at keeping them. I feel so guilty and heartbroken.

 

Also how would I introduce any new girls. I only have the one run and the eglu.

 

I understand fully if you all hate me and feel I've failed my poor chooks. I feel that already and really don't feel like I deserve any but I've such a lovely big run that hubby built for me.

 

What should I do?

[Egluntyne]

Sorry to hear it. I woudn't give up though. They do have a light grasp on life and it sounds as if you did all you could.

 

Leave it a few days to to make sure that your remaining girl is healthy, and then I'd get 2 companions for her.

 

There will be a bit of argy bargy to start with, but with careful management they will soon get on.

 

Article on managing intros **here**

[Cloud9]

Thanks Egluntyne. I just feel it is my fault because I'm so inexperienced. I only have a really basic book on chicken keeping I bought from the Omlet shop. I did wonder whether to buy a really good book and read it from cover to cover to try to become more familiar with chicken keeping before I even consider going down that venture again. Saying that I've had my chickens for almost two years and they were doing so well, laying every day etc, etc.

 

I am wondering what I did wrong? Would the severe weather have had any effect or rats near the run? If I get some more should I get warrens/brown hens or pure breeds or bantums? What is the hardier? I had read somewhere ( ) that the commercial brown hens are more susceptible to illness because of the strain on their bodies to produce so many eggs????

 

I just feel so sad - seeing my poor girl all on her own.

 

Thanks again.

[Patricia W]

Don't beat yourself up. I would probably have made the decisions you made in the same circumstances. As Egluntyne says, get a couple of new girls to keep your lone girl company once you're sure its nothing infectious.

 

Tricia

[Cloud9]

Thanks Tricia

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Please don't think it's your fault. As Egluntyne says, chickens have a fragile hold on life. It sounds like she was pretty poorly and a vet probably couldn't have done anything anyway.

 

If you've kept chickens successfully for 2 years, you can certainly do it again. You just had some very bad luck and it's unlikely to happen again.

 

I would get some friends for your remaining girl as soon as you can .

[chelsea]

I agree with the advice given. Chickens hide their illness so well that quite often us Mummys don't know that they are actually poorly, so do not blame yourself.

 

Chickens do pine, so getting some friends as soon as you can will be good.

[Olly]

So sorry to hear this - but please don't blame yourself. If you have kept chickens for 2 years without any big problems, you are doing the right things. Unfortunately they are not the most robust of creatures, they hide any illness very successfully, and sometimes they just keel over for no obvious reason.

 

You clearly enjoy keeping hens, so I would get some companions for your lone remaining hen and focus forward. It's very unlikely that you did anything wrong, it's likely that it was just their age - yes, 2 isn't very old, but I think the theory about hybrids 'wearing out' quickly is true, I have lost hens at about this age.

 

I do hope you get some more, it's a constant learning curve I find (and I've still only ever had the Omlet book, everything else I know is from this forum!).

[chick wiggle]

Aww, I know its awful, but, really dont feel too bad, its not your fault and sounds like you did all you could, which is all any of us can do.

Chickens unfortunately do die of 'one of those things'

As for only having an omlet book, well, i have quite a few books but, i have learnt more and had better advice off this forum than any book. For which i am truly grateful.

Give it a few days/week and go and get yourself a couple more hens. Your hen will probably try and be top chuck but having two newbies, they can buddy up, so intros hopefully will be easier.

They will cheer you up and take your mind off your loss.

Dont give up, your not a bad chicken mummy, your on here arnt you

 

{{hugs}}

x

[Falkor]

Hi Cloud9

 

So sorry to hear that your lost your little one. Sounds like you took care of her.

 

As Chick Wiggle says it is one of those terrible things. I lost one of my first back garden hens early on and for no apparent reason and I was very upset and felt that I had done something wrong. The vet did a PM and it was tumours so nothing could of been done.

 

I started with the basic Keeping Pet chickens and have purchases several more along the way but this forum and the friends I have made via the forum have offered me more advice, support and love than could ever be expected of a book.

 

I am in Cambs too - if you ever fancy an Omlet/chicken chinwag anytime just send me a pm. PLUS I may be able to assist with spare accomodation if you are not too far.

 

Edited for tipsy typing

Edited March 14, 2010 by Guest

[Cloud9]

A truly heartfelt thanks to you all OK so I think I might get some more chickens - any ideas on what to get though? My girl that died was a Gingernut Ranger and lovely. I would like a very friendly chicken that doesn't mind not being able to free-range all day as I usually let my chickens out late afternoon as I have two terriers that might be tempted for a chicken dinner My remaining girl is a commercial hen and very friendly too.

 

Ali

[Falkor]

If you are after eggs then a hybrid would be your best bet but there is much more choice amongst the pure breeds they just have winter off the egg laying (although "Ooops, word censored!"ody told my pekins )

 

Apart from the lighter flighty breeds (White star, my CLB etc) i think most chooks can be tamed and friendly if you spend enough time trainig them.