Chucky Mama Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Oh my goodness what an awful shock for you. You really have had a rollercoaster ride with your introduction to chickens If you haven't already done so I would be inclined to Flubenvet your remaining girl just to cover all bases. You obviously wont get through the 2kg of food so if you have accurate scales, just scale it down to about 1/4 of the amount if you can. I hope that you can find a suitable breeder nearby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted October 9, 2010 Author Share Posted October 9, 2010 Regardless of what the vet has said its worth being prudent and keeping an eye on the remaining hen for a week or so as you have had so much bad luck it would be awful if things went more pear shaped for you The ex battery rescue is on the 17th and is in Brackley Ex batts wouldnt be able to go in with your hen for some time though which may be a pain Thank you and of course I'm going to be extra vigilent Redwing. Being new to chicken ownership I've kept a very careful eye on all the girls from the outset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted October 9, 2010 Author Share Posted October 9, 2010 If you pm Falkor she will tell you more about the ex-batt rescue Thank you Scarlett, though I'm not sure we'll be ready for ex-battery girls just now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 How awful for you to happen again. I keep looking at my lot more closely since Cupcake died on Monday. Keep thinking does this look normal, is that right, I'll just clean that again and refresh the water, what's your poo like today, shoud I buy this poultry med etc etc? Just in case it was something I'd not done or had done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jill the potter Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Very sorry to hear about your chook, at least it would appear she went quickly and didn't suffer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted October 9, 2010 Author Share Posted October 9, 2010 How awful for you to happen again. I keep looking at my lot more closely since Cupcake died on Monday. Keep thinking does this look normal, is that right, I'll just clean that again and refresh the water, what's your poo like today, shoud I buy this poultry med etc etc? Just in case it was something I'd not done or had done. Me too Daxigirl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted October 9, 2010 Author Share Posted October 9, 2010 Very sorry to hear about your chook, at least it would appear she went quickly and didn't suffer. Thank you Jill. That's the thing which is so shocking - Cottie seemed absolutely fine yesterday and even last evening when I checked on them to make sure they were okay before bed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the bradley bunch Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 oh i'm so sorry to hear your sad news i hope that the vet & other omletters have reassured you that none of what's happened is your fault. i think it's great advice to keep them in the run area and check round the garden for any possible toxic plants or poisons, and also any old bulbs that they could've scratched up. incase you haven't already got it here's a link to omlet's 'list of plants that are poisonous or harmful to chickens': http://wiki.omlet.co.uk/index.php/List_of_plants_that_are_poisonous_or_harmful_to_chickens also, with regards to the slug - if you've got any close neighbours check whether they're using slug pellets in their gardens. if they are then this could be affecting your girls. kindly offer your neighbour some egg shells to use to protect their plants instead of the toxic pellets, and make sure there are no gaps at the bottom of any dividing fences where slugs can pass from your neighbour's flower bed into your garden and your chickens' mouths. sending some cuddles to Dottie & hopefully she'll have some new friends soon to bring her some comfort. you are all in our thoughts x x Big Hugs x x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Thank you Scarlett, though I'm not sure we'll be ready for ex-battery girls just now Can't say I blame you as taking on ex batts comes with it's own problems too and I think as you have been through so much already you would probably be better off getting some regular hens. We got our new girls from Minimeadows in Northants, but I think they only sell pure breeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 I echo what Snowy says- hens are not the most robust of creatures, and sometimes these things just happen. You have been very unlucky to lose two hens so close together and like you, I would be wanting the vet to try and find out what happened but if it was some sort of infectious illness, I think you would have noticed symptoms so please try not to worry too much. Whilst it's true that hens hide illness very cleverly, you are clearly devoted to your chickens and I'm sure that if there was anything obvious you would have seen it. I hope the vet can give you some answers, so sorry to hear of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodinparts Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 I'm so sorry...It's really hard, isn't it - but you know she had a really good life, even if so much shorter than you'd hoped. Was the vet able to suggest anything? Thinking of you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sari Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 terribly sorry to hear this, especially as you were so good to pass on your kind words to me last week, when Selma went walkies with Mr Fox. I hope you get your confidence back. Hens are free spirits, and will get into mischief like cats do. I hope you feel better soon, and take some comfort in that she doesn't seemed to have suffered. My cat died in his sleep after eating slug pellets ( this was after vet PM..) he had a tiny trickle of blood from his nose/ so vet said, it would have been painless. Take Care Sarah x x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted October 10, 2010 Author Share Posted October 10, 2010 Morning everyone and thank you for all your kind words, advice and messages. I really appreciate it. It's still very sad, I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about Cottie lying there in her Eglu and wondering if Dottie was okay on her own I've never found a pet like that before I think we were all in shock a bit yesterday, even Ben our doggy was really quiet all day, bless him. Our little Dottie seems okay this morning, bless her. She ran straight out of the Eglu to eat her breakfast. I guess she must be wondering where Cottie is? Hopefully we're going to go and get a friend for her today, then we'll have to cross everything and hope that they'll get along. In the meantime, I keep chatting to her in the hope that she'll not get too lonely. Will let you know how we get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jill the potter Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 As others have suggested, I would get 2 friends for her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 Bev - she can manage as alone hen for a while so don't feel you have to rush into getting new girls. Chatting to her will help keep her spirits up. Have you seen the vet yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 As others have suggested, I would get 2 friends for her You are likely to have problems with 1 - 2 new girls will have each other so less likely to get bullied by Dottie and if anything happened you would be back to a lone girl again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 Bev - she can manage as alone hen for a while so don't feel you have to rush into getting new girls. Chatting to her will help keep her spirits up.Have you seen the vet yet? Reply re vet is futher up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karena Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 Bev just spotted this and so sorry to hear your news. If I recall correctly we got our chooks at similar times so that makes me feel a bit of a link when I read your posts, so so very sad for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeMeadfan Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 I'm so sorry to hear this, especially not long after you lost your other girl. Please don't blame yourself. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CallyChook Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 Aw Bev... poor Dottie alone and poor you/your family. So so sorry to hear such bad news. Love from me xxxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted October 12, 2010 Author Share Posted October 12, 2010 Thank you so much everyone for your kind words and help too. We're still sad to think of Cottie and Lottie , however on Sunday we got two lovely new girls - Hilda and Elsie I'll put a thread up with an update soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Sorry to hear this, but glad that you now have two new friends for your remaining girl. Sudden, unexplained deaths like this in chickens are usually down to a heart attack - they have quite weak hearts and a sudden death like that isn't unusual. Enjoy your newbies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy-Deb Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Hi Bev congrats on your new girls, cant wait to see some pics when you get chance. How are they settling in ? xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Eggsellent. What are they? I'm really please that Dottie will have some company again and you've not let it curb your chickeny enthusiasm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooster Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 I've just caught up with this posting through another link - you poor poor things - we got our Omlet hens at a similar time to you and having gone through hell with our Pearl, I really feel for you with losing a second. Its amazing how quickly they become part of the family. You were really supportive and encouraging for me when Pearl was so poorly, so I hope that everyones' kind words here are helping you and that Hilda & Elsie are bringing you and Dottie comfort ( great names by the way). Good luck x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
