Chooks76 Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Only eight days after I got my chickens I've come home today to find my Bluebell has died. Of what I don't know as there were no visible injuries. She appeared healthy yesterday and I'm presuming she has simply died during the night or sometime today. She was confined to the Eglu run so it can't be down to any external attack. It doesn't appear to have affected the others too much as they are happily foraging as I speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 I'd make sure you let the breeder know.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 So sorry what a shock... I'd go back to whoever you had them from though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 So sorry RIP Bluebell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindafw Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 deff inform the seller of your birds. I had a similar problem with one of my new ladies last year...for no apparent reason she just keeled over 2 weeks after purchase. All the others from that purchase have done fine. Its very sad, sorry for your loss x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Sorry to hear it But I agree, the breeder I got mine gave a 2 week "guarantee" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 So sorry to hear about Bluebell - that's very sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Sorry to hear this - RIP Bluebell . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Sorry about Bluebelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Sorry to hear about Bluebell, what a rotten start to chook keeping. I'd definitely agree with everyone who's advised contacting the breeder in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Terrible news, so sorry to hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks76 Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share Posted May 23, 2011 Well I've gone back to the supplier today and spoken to the husband of the lady who sold Bluebell to me. They had asked to see the bird so I took it with me. I'd emailed this morning with what had happened and they thought it quite strange that she should have died without any symptoms or warning signs. When I emailed a picture of her only taken a day before, they found it even stranger as she looked so healthy. He had a look at the body and said the comb was a good colour, she was a weighty bird and had good meat on the breast - so that rules out not getting enough food from being low in the pecking order - if indeed she was. He seems to think the most likely explanation is shock or stress...or just one of those things. There is no evidence of a fox having been in the garden. He did however express concerns at me having four chickens in the Eglu - he is quite familiar with them as they have many and offer a hen boarding service. One theory he had is that she may have overheated in the confined space as the birds can generate a bit of heat. He was prepared to give me a replacement bird but said the ones he had were timid and not ideal candidates to introduce to the three chickens I already have. He went on to say that he personally would not have sold me four chickens for an Eglu Classic. I have a 3m run and they free range in an area nearly 4m by 6m...but I think his concern is the size of the coop. So very reluctantly I decided to take his advice and not replace Bluebell. He is the expert after all. So unhappily I'm down to three birds. If I'm still enjoying this in a year or two I'll maybe start thinking about the Cube! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 I've got 4 hybrids in my eglu classic and they all fit nicely, and the eglu is designed to be cool in the summer and warm in winter... but I do kind of agree that it would be harsh to introduce 1 hen to 3, and if you tried to introduce 2 hens to your current 3, then they would be a bit squished in the eglu Cube is the way forward Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 sorry to hear about your girl x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks76 Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share Posted May 23, 2011 Yes if I'm still doing/enjoying this chicken keeping lark in a year or two I can see myself upgrading to a cube! I'd post an image of Bluebell the day before she died but I don't know how to. I can't see any attachment options Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 I'd post an image of Bluebell the day before she died but I don't know how to. I can't see any attachment options **INSTRUCTIONS ** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Rotten start but don't let it put you off. I had one just die and never knew why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Hi Chook76. Hope this set back doesn't spoil your enjoyment. My guess would be it was just one of those things.Sometimes chickens can just keel over for no apparent reason. You have entered a fascinating world and one I'm sure you will enjoy.Keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks76 Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share Posted May 23, 2011 Thanks for the post on how to upload an image. The link shows Bluebelle the day before she died. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 Hey Chook 76 your photos are really eggcellent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks76 Posted May 26, 2011 Author Share Posted May 26, 2011 Was my breeder wrong to say he personally wouldn't sell me four chickens for an Eglu Classic with 3m run. I looked at my 3 roosting tonight and there is so much space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 (edited) Hi Chris. DEFRA say that to be free range, each hen should have 1m², but I'm guessing yours get quite a bit of free ranging, so I think 4 to a 3m run would be fine. The coop itself is fine for 4 hens eta: Apparently it's difficult to introduce 1 hen, so the breeder was kind of right not giving you one hen. Edited May 26, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks76 Posted May 26, 2011 Author Share Posted May 26, 2011 Yes I think the 3m run itself is 3m squared as although narrow at the coop end is about 1m 20 at the far end. The section of garden I've given them means they get 7 square metres each. I'm annoyed I didn't push for a replacement for the bluebell now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zakjon-98 Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 I looked at my 3 roosting tonight and there is so much space. I have four in mine and they all squeeze up in just over half the eglu. I think there is space for 5 hens in the eglu if the run space is big enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks76 Posted May 26, 2011 Author Share Posted May 26, 2011 Oh well. Not wishing another early end to one of my chickens, but when the next one goes I'll replace it with two. Don't think it would be wise to get a single replacement now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
