chicken bark Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I always count my hens out of the house in the morning - actually in most houses I check they are in at night too. Yesterday while they were free ranging I thought one was missing but as it was identical to another of my hens thought I had just missed it, there are plenty of hen houses/trees for it to hide behind. However this morning it was definitely missing and I found my CLB dead behind a shed. I feel so bad for not double checking yesterday afternoon. When I checked her over her comb is a purply colour and there were lots of mites (not red mite) around her vent. I don't know if the mites were what killed her or if they just got on her overnight while she was dead?? I have checked a very fluffy hen in another house and no sign of mites on her. I have also checked two other hens from the same house and they are mite free too. The house is always covered in Diatom and so they get a good covering when they lay their eggs. As no one else is out of sorts, or have mites etc, I guess it is just one of those things. She was just over a year old and it has quite taken the wind out of my sails today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Oh no, I am sorry . As we all know, chooks are good at hiding health problems until it's too late. She possibly knew she was on her way out and went behind the shed to do it in peace. Don't feel bad, as you can't double check everything you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 So sorry for your loss. Sweet dreams CLB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 So sorry. RIP little hen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindafw Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 you care for your hens, you can do not more... they slip off when ill and hide away and there is nothing we can do. chin up and big hugs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 It sounds like it was possibly Northern Fowl mite I lost a chook to that a while back Check the others just in case It's really hard to eradicate So sorry about your hen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted August 5, 2011 Author Share Posted August 5, 2011 It sounds like it was possibly Northern Fowl mite I lost a chook to that a while back Check the others just in case It's really hard to eradicate So sorry about your hen I had thought about Northern Fowl mite but when I googled it I realised it was lice she was covered with. I don't think the lice would have killed her. She had always had issues with egg laying so maybe it was that and the lice just took advantage of a weakness? I've cleaned all the houses and been extra liberal with the diatom. I remember now that she came out of the house in the morning at a more leisurely pace rather than racing out like the others. Kicking myself that I didn't follow up the little signals sooner. At the moment the others all seem fine and no sign of anything wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 So sorry to read this sad news. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 It sounds like you're being very hard on yourself when to everyone else it sounds like you are a very caring and conscientious owner. Be kind to yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 I agree with the others - I dont think you could realistically have done anything more, and they are so good at hiding their symptoms. still a shock though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
