Unsecure chicken perches

[brizee]

Hello everyone,

We purchased a Eglu Classic and three beautiful chicks just 2 months ago. They have provided nothing but pleasure for my young family including my 6 month old daughter. They have eaten everything in my garden and dug over my veg patch far better than I could ever do. They get under my feet and always try and run in through the back door at the mearest turn of the key.

They all got up this morning as normal with no signs of ill health. But whilst, it would appear, one was trying to lay an egg, she has passed away. Its not very pretty and I won't go into detail.

I was told it was caused by prolapse. We are all very shocked and and shaken.

Is this common? could we have done anything?

Too top it all my fence has blown over in the wind on the same day so the remaining two are run bound.

Should I consider introducing a new chick or leave the remaining pair alone.

All advice welcome.

We'll miss you Poorly chick chick.x

[gongladosh]

Sorry to hear it - sadly prolapses happen occasionally. I've fortunately not experienced it in a year and a half of henkeeping. It sounds like your chick was unlucky.

 

How old are the chicks?

[meezers]

So sorry, I don't think prolapses are that common, maybe more likely in hybrids such as warrens who are bred as egg laying machines. Three hens are always better than two, just so if you were unfortunate enough to lose another, you wouldn't have one lonely hen.There is a section on the forum on how to introduce another hen, have a read of that then maybe get another addition to your flock.

[beckyfitz]

Sorry to hear that, i lost a chicken earlier this year due to prolapse

She was in great health but it couldn't be put back in & tissue died so she had to be put to sleep.

It does happen but I don't think it is very common, hopefully you won't experience it again.

Becky x

[brizee]

Thanks, It just seemed to be so quick. I think i've been really attentive as a new chicken owner. They are the normal miss pepperpot and ginger ranger variety from Omlet. I handle them and check them daily. Cleaned regularly and spoilt but not beyond there necessary nutrients. I don't know much about prolapse but that's what we have been told.

The remaining two are now both in bed and don't seem overly distressed but I will forgive them If they don't wish to lay for next couple of days.

My initial reactin was concern about disease for the health of the other two but this seems unlikely.

[keyhole kate]

How awful for you sadly I think your girl was just unlucky as your girls are relatively young I dont think it would be difficult to introduce an new girl especialy if you can get one of a similar age and size. However please read the excellent Intoductions topic on here better to be forearmed and have a back up such as temporary housing just in case of problems.

[Redwing]

overweight hens can sometimes be prone to prolapses - if a hen is overweight sometimes their eggs go long and torpedo shaped but I wouldnt beat yourself up about it as prolapses are sometimes just pure bad luck

 

I wouldnt add another hen to two especially if you dont have separate housing, its always easier to introduce two at a time so I'd wait until you lose another the introduce two to one (hopefully that will be sometime in the far future)

[brizee]

So for now it would seem best to leave them as a pair.

The saddest part is I'm not sure I'll ever know the actual cause of her passing.

The family are upset buy on a positive note, we've had so much pleasure from our chickens, we're considering upsizing to a cube. But that will of course mean a spare classic, which is apparrentley going to be converted to an Eglu rabbit run.

As the only man in the household, I of course, agree to whatever I'm told.

[mollyripkim]

I,m really sorry what happened to your girl but glad it's not put you off in the long run. I got my first girls in July last year and one day one seemed like she was going to lay but was a bit agitated (rang breeder who told me not to worry) but she died in the night from no apparent cause, I was so upset but it seems it just happens sometimes but I was pananoid about the others for ages.

[gongladosh]

Don't be put off though, I'm a guy and I love my hens!

 

In the last 18 months, I've had 2 Omlet hens, lost one to peritonitis, replaced her with two more hens, and found a chicken of fate! As with any pet, you may sometimes lose one, and that's never going to be nice, but I wouldn't miss having hens for anything.

 

18 months ago, I hardly went in my garden, now I spend huge amounts of time there come rain or shine. I'm even closer to my neighbours because of them.

 

One week, preparing for a holiday I lent my hens to a friend to look after, and just before bringing them back, I looked in the garden - it looked lonely and dead, missing that sparkle! I'll never not have hens now - there are downs as well as ups, but there are *so* many ups!

 

Oh and you get free eggs too

[brizee]

They certainley get me out in the garden.

And all of a sudden we discovered other chicken keepers in the area and those closet chicken fanciers (like my neighbour) who have always wanted chickens and love there supply of eggs.

[Bramble]

As the only man in the household, I of course, agree to whatever I'm told.

 

Glad to hear you are so well trained!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe it would be best to wait until you get your cube then you can use your classic and cube while the new hens are introduced and then gradually mix them all in the cube after some time keeping them separate?

I think it's sweet that you are upset by your chicken loss, BUT, please don't beat yourself up about it, she had a lovely life with you and they are sensitive little creatures who sometimes just "go" for no apparent reason.

[WitchHazel]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your Girl, especially so early on in your chicken keeping life.

 

If you were only keeping the Eglu, I'd echo the recommendation to stay at 2 girls for now, and introduce 2 more later - maybe when 1 of the remaining 2 has gone. That's because introductions can be stressful - for you as well as the Girls, and it takes a while for peace to break out.

 

However, if you are seruous about getting a Cube (excellent decision, by the way), then wait a bit before converting your Eglu to hold rabbits. You can use it as temporary housing for a few weeks to intrpduce some new ladies.

 

Then maybe convert it (Although I would recommend keeping it, as you never know..,)

[brizee]

Thankyou,

That's great advice. just gotta find a cube now