Salop Chuck Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 My two original hybrids from Omlet coped with the winter weather (mostly inside my house!). Then in April my Miss Pepperpot, Ella, became very ill and I thought I would lose her. Being a fighter she rallied remarkably and again enjoyed the garden with fresh grass and grubs to enjoy. In spite of being slower and ceasing to lay eggs, she and Saffie (Gingernut Ranger) spent every minute together and seemed to have a very strong bond. Then 2 weeks ago Ella spent a lot of her time just rooted to the spot, frequently closing her eyes. After watching her for two days I took her to the vet who diagnosed an advanced cancer in her abdomen. The decision was made then to put her to sleep. Thankfully I was able to be with her to the end and say 'goodbye'. Saffie, her friend and companion, has been bereft since the loss of Ella. For 10 days she has been moping about the garden on her own, not making any sound, walking very slowly and eating and drinking minuscule amounts of food and water. Her favourite treats don't interest her anymore. Her poos and very watery and she shows very little interest in her surroundings - it's as though she has given up. I have 5 other pullets (obtained in April). Laterly she has spent much of the day inside in a nest I have made for her in a quiet part of the living room. I will take her to the vet on Monday beause I don't want her to just starve herself to death and it would be kinder. Has anyone else experience this kind a behaviour in hens when they lose a companion hen? Any comments and advice would be most welcome. I am missing my perky, inquisitive, friendly Saffie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs chook Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 Aww that's so sad will she not interact with the pullets?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Chuck Posted August 15, 2010 Author Share Posted August 15, 2010 No she just spends time on her own and hides herself under hedgerows or bushes. The other hens seem to want to help her, particularly my Light Sussex Connie, but she wont respond to their overtures of friendship. Very sad. Awful to see her like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs chook Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 Has she been out with them much since losing her friend? Just wondered maybe if it's worth another go for a few days now in case they can bring her out of herself at all. Wish I could say or do more to help, that's so sad x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Chuck Posted August 15, 2010 Author Share Posted August 15, 2010 No she just spends time on her own and hides herself under hedgerows or bushes. The other hens seem to want to help her, particularly my Light Sussex Connie, but she wont respond to their overtures of friendship. Very sad. Awful to see her like this. I have just been outside to check on Saffie and she is with the other hens foraging a little and showing just a tiny interest in her surroundings. Fingers crossed she will start to perk up and join the other hens in typical chicken activities. Here's hoping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 When Polly one of my ex batts died, Barbara one of the other ex batts mourned her terribly, she was like it for about 2 weeks and then snapped out of it. So give her time, but good to see she is making improvements already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Chuck Posted August 15, 2010 Author Share Posted August 15, 2010 Hi Space Chick Thank you so much for your comment and sharing your experience. I will Give Saffie some more time to adjust. Even though we are not quite there yet she is making tiny steps towards recovery. Will keep you posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 The stress of losing her friend may have brought on another illness. May be worth giving her a general health check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Chuck Posted August 15, 2010 Author Share Posted August 15, 2010 Good point. On Monday morning if she hasn't shown considerably improvement, I'll get my local vet to check her over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs chook Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 fingers crossed, maybe time and some more tlc will see her through x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippy chick Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 I had a problem a few weeks ago. I lost 2 girls in the space of two days and the remaining girl was really depressed, she was also terrified of my other flock of ex-bats. she would just mooch around not eating not drinking. I bought a young POL as company for her and within a few days she started to perk up. this is 3 weeks ago and she is back to her happy self. she even FRs with the other flock now. I hope that she cheers up for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Chuck Posted August 15, 2010 Author Share Posted August 15, 2010 Thanks for your experience and how you dealt with it - I might consider getting another young pullet if nothing else works. Did it matter the the new pullet was so much younger and immature than your depressed hen or do you think the new hen came in at the bottom of the pecking order and she identified with her more closely as a possible ally and friend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippy chick Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 I think that because my lonely Gwen was so timid and insecure, getting the very young pol helped boost her confidence. She was even scared of the lowest hen out of the ex-bats. When i first got the pol her appetite picked up and she started showing an interest again. Maybe if you get a young girl for her to pal up with it will help her get over her grief. I had began to think that Gwen would die pining for the others. Tbh i never really apreciated how emotional hens are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Chuck Posted August 15, 2010 Author Share Posted August 15, 2010 I will take Saffie to the vets tomorrow to have a verdict on her current condition and to see if there is any underlying disease going on. I've started to syringe feed her because she has gone so long without food and water. She doesn't like me doing it but I'll keep it up anyway. I am giving a mixture of watered down baby porridge, honey and live yogurt and just hope it gives her enough energy to perk her up a bit. She spent some of the afternoon outside and the other hens hung out with her which was nice to see. We can only try. Thanks so much for your responses. Will keep you posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 Salop Chuck, my heart goes out to you. We had a similar situation when Boris's friend Penny died. They were "rescued" together and were almost literally joined at the hip. We did get Fav & Pom to keep her company but it took a long, long time before she accepted them. (months, not days or weeks). However they are now the happiest threesome & guess who's top chuck I really hope it all works out for you as it's truly heartbreaking seeing a heart broken hen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Chuck Posted August 15, 2010 Author Share Posted August 15, 2010 Hi sparkysmum Thank you so much for your kind words - gives me a little hope. I am going to have a stiff brandy before I carry out another syringe feed. Managed to get 10mls down at 3pm so time for another session. She'll fight against me doing it but I wrap her in a towel and force her beak open for a quick squirt of nourishing fluid. It takes about 15mins to get 10mls of fluid in. I don't want to stress her out too much. Will keep you posted. Connie, my Light Sussex is trying to make friendly overtures towards Saffie so maybe there's a chance for a budding friendship there if I can just get Saffie to eat on her own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 My darling little Gingernut Ranger Desdemona was the sweetest and most loving chicken. When a young chicken got sick and we had to put her in the shed, after that chicken died she searched every inch of the shed. When the door was closed she would jump up in the window-box and peer through the window. Then when her beloved Pepperpot companion died, she charged into our house and looked in every room - even jumped in the bath. She was clearly distraught...but later put all her love in the other chickens. Your poor girl...she may have an illness, or an infection...but yes, chickens do grieve... Good luck tomorrow. XX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildeWoman Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 Had exactly the same with my oldest ex-batt. She still has nothing to do with the 'newer' ex-batts, but we took a chance and bought a single Cochin hen just to keep her Company and they are now inseparable. Perhaps as has already been said, get her checked over and give her time, but we also spent a lot of time with Henrietta ourselves which seemed to help. I truly believe that the emotions of all animals are desperately under-estimated and that they grieve just as we do. This has been proven in elephants and other species, why not chooks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Chuck Posted August 16, 2010 Author Share Posted August 16, 2010 Thank you so much to all you kind people who responded to my postings about Saffie yesterday. I am glad to report good news - Saffie survived the night and was 'up and dressed' ready to be let out this morning. She then went on to have a 'Full English Breakfast' consisting of cereal (dried mealworms) followed by sausages (6 fat, juicy earthworms dug up by me) and finishing off with a bit of cooked rice, sweetcorn and diced grapes. She is still resting a lot under bushes but is now interacting a little with the other hens. What a huge relief!!!! Your comments, support and advice has been invaluable - so a big thank you to all of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippy chick Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Thats wonderful news I'm so glad shes feeling better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 brilliant news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clur Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Just catching up on this and it's great to see some positive news. Long may it continue! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildeWoman Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Fantastic!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Hoorah! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
