Duncan08 Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 (edited) We lost our White Star, Vanilla last night. No idea why, she was fine yesterday morning, but was in the nest box for ages, came out for treats then went back in again, she did lay. After just a couple of hours she would not come for treats, wasnt eating or drinking, so thought she may be broody. Picked her up and took her for a walk and talk around the garden, tried her with some of her favourite grapes but she wasn't interested. Inspected her vent, wingpits, eyes, nostrils, legs and feet, comb - everything absolutely fine and dandy. Read up on the "broody" guide and dunked her bum into a bucket, and put her back in the run with the others and some mealworms while I took the dog out. When I came back she still hadn't moved, from the spot I had left her, so picked her up and brought her in on my knee for some TV and restorative stroking. She loved the stroking and closed her eyes and slept, if I stopped she would open one eye and look at me. So I carried on, her breathing was fine, no rattles, she was just really lethargic and sleepy. Anyway after about 45 mins she came to, licked her lips and let out a little cry three times and that was it, she just went limp in my arms. We just cant believe how quickly she went downhill. Just keeping everything crossed that it isn't something contagious, with no obvious symptoms it is difficult to know what to do. They were all wormed and deloused at the beginning of May. We have only had her 6 weeks, but suspect she was older than POL when we got her, she was a beautiful lady, long legs and always kept herself immaculate, she was more mature than the others and had the most wonderful red floppy comb. We will miss her..... Edited May 18, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Sorry to hear your sad news. It is a bit of a mystery, but sometimes they do just die for no apparent reason. Hopefully the lack of symptoms means that it is nothing contagious, all you can do is keep a close eye on your other hens. I hope they will all be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 So sorry to hear you lost your little girl Vanilla. What a terrible shock, i have read about her on some of your posts before. At least she was treasured for a few weeks of her life, I am sure she had a wonderful time with you and her chicken friends Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 Thank you so much for your kind words, our others girls are as lively as ever so hopefully they will be fine. Who would have thought you would get so attached! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Who would have thought you would get so attached! I know what you mean, we lost an ex batt after only 6 weeks and cried buckets over her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
