greyhoundgirl Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 I've just been out to clean the cube and my pepperpot Barbara has died in the nest box. I'm at a total loss as to why. Yesterday she was shouting at me and free ranging happily, eating, drinking and scratching up the dirt. This morning she was happy with the other girls too. We only got her April last year so she's fairly young still. The remaining girls don't seem to be bothered at all and again seem to be really healthy and normal. Could she have an egg stuck? Until the day before yesterday I was getting an egg a day from all of the girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Very sorry to hear that Had you been around to observe her in the last 24 hours? It is possible she had a stuck egg, although when my girl had a stuck egg it was pretty obvious something was wrong with her - tail down, straining and looking generally uncomfortable although she was still moving about, she wasn't standing in the general moping position. I'd still just double check nothing is wrong with anybody else - lice/mites/red mite in the coop, have a check on breathing, eyes and their crops but assuming nothing is wrong, then I should think the most likely explanation is its just one of those things, which happen reasonably frequently with hens. Its often said they hide illnesses, but they do also just have heart attacks or whatever and keel over for no obvious reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 OH I'm so sorry to hear that No ideas for you, but I can empathise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 So sorry to hear that - it's a horrid shock, isn't it, especially when there's been no hint of a problem. Fortunately this is rare, but not unheard of - hens just do this sometimes, she may have had a bad heart or something which didn't display any symptoms. If your other hens all look ok, I'd just put it down as one of those things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundgirl Posted August 24, 2011 Author Share Posted August 24, 2011 Well I've checked the other hens and they seem fine, perky, bright eyed firm combs. Just a bit of a shock. We are in the process of moving house so the children are a bit sensitive at the moment anyhow. This seems like the final straw to a 9 year old animal lover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Oh, that's such a shame, your poor son, hope he is ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
