The Mcconnochies Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Well, this morning our four chickens were let out as normal and all seemed fine. Yesterday one of the miss pepper pots was pecking the others a bit but all were laying eggs and we were going to get some anti peck today. Somewhere between 9 and 10 I heard some louder clucking but I was settling a teething baby so couldn't investigate and when Andrew went out later he found a rather sadly dead Ruby (our newest gingernut). There was a lot of blood around, and a patch of it in the nesting box. She had a very bloody vent and it looked like bits of insides coming out. I think she had also been pecked. Does anyone have any ideas as to why this might have a occurred? We are concerned for the others and would hate it to happen again. Thank you so much! Claire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I had exactly this happen the other day ...although my poor hen wasn't dead when I found her. She too was very new to laying, and from the state of her I'm guessing that she had prolapsed, and the other hens had pecked away at the protrusion. I've had it happen before. It's just one of those things I'm afraid, and there is nothing one can do, apart from deal with the aftermath. Sorry you have had this unpleasant experience to deal with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 sorry to hear about Ruby x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 What a shame, I'm so sorry . Nothing you could have done to prevent it so don't feel bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Sorry to hear about Ruby. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Sorry to hear it. My guess would be like Egluntyne, that she had a prolapse. The other hens would find that irresistible I'm afraid. Even if you'd found her straight away, you may not have been able to do anything. Very sad, but just one of those things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mcconnochies Posted February 11, 2012 Author Share Posted February 11, 2012 It looked like a prolapse...lots of blood and insides at the vent end. Husband ended up with the horrible job of cleaning it out. Not sure what we do now....feeling a bit down about the whole thing. We lost 2 to the fox 2 weeks after starting to keep chooks in Decemebr and now this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizzyMomma Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 So sorry to hear this... {{{{HUGS}}}} Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Sorry to here about Ruby, and I do feel for you dealing with the losses in such a short time after starting out. I lost a new girl within a couple of weeks of starting out, never knew what it was, she died peacefully sitting on my knee. I was so upset my husband was ready to pack it all in. But we didn't, and have just added another 2. The losses and illness are the negatives, (and intros ) But the good bits are so good, it is a natural process and death and sickness is part of that, I have my routine now and love every minute, ( except early mornings in the cold ) Keep your chin up, you have had to deal with a lot of the bad bits very early in the adventure, but all the experiences help build up your own knowledge and confidence! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...