scoobs_jne Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Having had the girls for 2 and a half years we've had our first sad day and had to have Salty put to sleep this morning. She'd given antibiotics her best shot, but the vet suspects an egg periotionitus (sorry no idea how to spell that) and it really did seem the kindest thing. Kind but not easy, despite having talked through worse case senarios I left the vets in floods of tears and a chicken down This leaves us with one chicken left whom we love to bits. I know we can't leave her on her own, but I'm 34 weeks pregnant and not sure I could handle introducing some new friends to her. Having said that I can't imagine not having chickens. We know a few people who would probably take her, but would getting her one or two friends be easier than we think? If you're introducing one chuck to one another would they still bicker? do they need to be the same age/size? How long could we put off deciding? Will Pepper be OK on her own for a week or should we decide sooner rather than later? Thanks for listening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Hi there, so sorry about your little hen. How sad for her friend left behind. Not sure what i would do! If you think your friend could offer a good home to pepper it might be easier with a new baby on the way. ... Having said that you may find it too hard to let her go! What a dilema. Personally i would get another 2 pol hens, then you would have 3, then at least if you lose 1 the others still have a friend. Pepper would have the upper hand as she is older but you never know with chooks how they will behave with each other. i would also do it asap, at least then things will have settled down before the baby arrives! Good luck whatever you decide and all the best with the birth...( been there 3 times, i feel your pain!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickichicky Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 ((hug)) been there - and it doesn't get any easier Had 2 pts (put to sleep) with Egg Peritonitus. But I also know what you mean about going through the introduction - especially being pregnant If you still think you would like to carry on keeping chooks then I really would pluck up the courage to get 2 more. That way it diffuses the bullying that will occur whilst they establish the pecking order. Plus if anything was to happen to one you won't have the dilema of one girl on her own again..... Hard choice though. I've had wobbles about carrying on each time I've lost a girly - but the others soon change my mind with something cute! Good Luck x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobs_jne Posted May 25, 2011 Author Share Posted May 25, 2011 Thanks for the advice and hugs, we think we've decided to ask about and try and find her a new home. If we can't then we'll get another 2 as that seems to be the way forward. At least for the moment Pepper seems content pecking at the grass in the garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Perhaps if you let everyone know where you are someone might suggest someone who will adopt her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickichicky Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Think my last Ex-Batt Benni is on the downward slide She's looking really tired - and this morning was a bit wobbly on her feet.... think I'll be going through it again a bit earlier than I was expecting (shes about 4 now so I knew it could be anytime..But ) I'll bring her out for some extra treats & tlc later. Good luck anyway x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobs_jne Posted May 26, 2011 Author Share Posted May 26, 2011 Sorry to here about Benni, hope she picks up. Sending lots of happy healthy chicken vibes your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobs_jne Posted May 27, 2011 Author Share Posted May 27, 2011 Just to update, some lovely chicken keepers on our allotments have agreed to try and settle Pepper into their flock. So not only will she have four new friends but we'll still be able to pop bye and say hello. The garden won't be the same without our chucks, but once the baby's born and things have settled down I'm sure we'll get some more feathered friends Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Thats good news for you. Good luck with the birth and later expansion of your flock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickichicky Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 That's great Good luck for the future x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
