suebee Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 Hello everyone. I'm so sad today, because I lost my gorgeous Lizzie. I still can't believe how it happened so quickly. She was right as rain on Tuesday, but woke up with a limp to her right leg on Wednesday morning. I checked her over.... No swelling or heat, nothing to indicate the presence of bumble foot... I thought she must have sprained her leg, whizzing about as she does (Whizzie Lizzie)... She limped about for the day, eating and drinking as normal, and went to bed with the others. I wondered if she'd be a bit better in the morning, but, to be honest, I wasn't surprised that she was stiffer still. As the morning progressed, I started to notice her comb was becoming tinged with purple. It was at this point, that I realised she had more than a sprained leg... She seemed to be content to rest, and so, every hour, I took a warm pellet mash with a little grated broccoli, down to her, along with some warm water with lifeguard (which they'd all been on anyway, as they're moulting). She ate the lot each time, and had a little drink, right up until bedtime, when she wasn't interested in her last meal...So... I put her into her bed to get her settled before the others joined her... (they snuggle together, rather than perching) This morning, she was dead in her bed. Poor LIzzie. I laid her in the run, and encouraged the others to come and see their sister, to try to understand why she wouldn't be around anymore. I wondered if they would sense my distress, and somehow understand... I don't know why she has gone so suddenly? I wondered if she may have had a tumour, the presence of which, pressing on a nerve in her leg, made her lame. She was just a year old. I wondered if it could have been Mareks, but there was no typical pose, and I thought Mareks affected birds, mainly at POL, or at the most, 40ish weeks old. So, I'm at a loss as to what happened to my lovely girl. I do, however have the comfort of knowing she died in her sleep. There was no sign of struggle or suffering, and she died with her two mates either side of her, in her own home, with no stress. My poor Lizzie. I know you will all understand how I feel. My OH has been lovely too. It's unbearable, when you get attached, and there's simply nothing you can do to help. I'm sorry for ranting on. I suppose I'm letting it all go, to people who'll understand. Thanks for bearing with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 Oh how sad for you. Hugs and sympathy, I've lost 2 girls earlier this year to different issues. One like you seemed to have no real explanation and I was in hospital myself unexpectedly when she passed away. But she was also with her friends and my hubby was a star and delt with her for me. It sounded like she didn't suffer and popped away in her sleep. RIP Lizzie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suebee Posted December 7, 2012 Author Share Posted December 7, 2012 Thanks mimi. Sorry you lost your girls too. Awful isn't it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 Sorry to hear this Found one of my little girls dead on the floor of the WIR this afternoon...sad day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 Found one of my little girls dead on the floor of the WIR this afternoon...sad day Oh no, hugs to to you Cheeky chooky! Yes, it's awful especially if they're young (mine were both not quite a year) The cold weather is beastly!!! My 2 little girls have spent most of the day in their coop and I have their run pretty well covered up!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suebee Posted December 7, 2012 Author Share Posted December 7, 2012 Sorry to hear this Found one of my little girls dead on the floor of the WIR this afternoon...sad day Oh Cheeky Chooky, I am sorry. What an awful day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 So sorry for both of you. It's horrible to loose a girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suebee Posted December 7, 2012 Author Share Posted December 7, 2012 Thanks good_egg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayleybug Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 oh thats awful to hear, you poor things (both of you!) must be really upsetting but at least you know she went to sleep with her friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 so sorry to hear of your losses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 Thank you x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 Oh that's a sad day for you both. Lots of clucks to you from me and mine. I've experienced the limp thing with some of mine that I've lost throughout the year, the vets seem to be at a loss if you take them anyway (well round my way) so at least she didn't have the stress of that as well. You just feel so helpless when they're poorly. (Just going to google bumblebee snails, already done the shrimps out of curiosity.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 really sorry x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suebee Posted December 7, 2012 Author Share Posted December 7, 2012 Thanks so much everyone... daxigirl... thanks for that. I'd love some light shed on it too. I'm So glad I didn't put her through the vet visit, (though I would have done that today, had she woken this morning). There were no visible symptoms at all, so I doubt any of our local vets would have been able to do anything useful, unfortunately. And it all happened so quickly, (Wednesday morning to Thursday night), I doubt if any meds would have pulled her through, even if they'd reached a diagnosis. I still can't believe it, to be honest. She was so vibrant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 Oh I am so sorry for both of you, what a sad day. At least little Lizzie didn't have a long drawn out illness and went peacefully. I can really sympathise though having lost my cat recently very suddenly, keep going over in my mind what could have happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 Oh suebee and Cheeky Chooky, I am so sorry to hear your dreadful news I have tears in my eyes hearing about poor Lizzie. They really are part of the family...huge hugs to you both. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suebee Posted December 7, 2012 Author Share Posted December 7, 2012 Oh mollyripkim, I do empathise regarding your cat. I lost mine years ago, but like yours - very suddenly. One day he was perfectly normal... the next, he was down. I thought he'd been in a fight, and had the inevitable infected puncture wound. Turned out to be a huge tumour, that had grown in the three months since his annual check up. I was devastated. So sorry for you x Thank you for your thoughts on Lizzie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 Thanks guys x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suebee Posted December 7, 2012 Author Share Posted December 7, 2012 Mrs B... I knew everyone on here would understand. Thank you so much for your thoughts. I had plenty of tears this morning when I found poor Lizzie. My tears fell on her. The other two girls came over, and I think they were most puzzled by my emotion. They both took a long, deliberate look at their sister's body, and Ethel studied her face really closely. They've been fine all day, and it's as if they know she's gone. They're not appearing to miss her presence, and in that respect, I'm glad they didn't see her disappearing into a box to go into the house (which I considered) or to the vet's. Maybe I'm reading too much into it all... Novice poultry keeper and all! Like you say though Mrs B, they do become part of the family, and get to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 Mrs B... I knew everyone on here would understand. Thank you so much for your thoughts. I had plenty of tears this morning when I found poor Lizzie. My tears fell on her. The other two girls came over, and I think they were most puzzled by my emotion. They both took a long, deliberate look at their sister's body, and Ethel studied her face really closely. They've been fine all day, and it's as if they know she's gone. They're not appearing to miss her presence, and in that respect, I'm glad they didn't see her disappearing into a box to go into the house (which I considered) or to the vet's. Maybe I'm reading too much into it all... Novice poultry keeper and all! Like you say though Mrs B, they do become part of the family, and get to you. You are not reading too much into it all. You love your chickens very much and there is nothing wrong with that in the slightest. I lost my first hen not too long ago and it was devastating, and I held her as she died from early hours in the morning until the next morning and it wasn't the nicest experience, but I am glad she was with me and not alone in the 'hospital cage' in the spare room. Even now I don't believe she has gone. But I knew coming online here that people would understand, and it made a huge difference. I know it's easy to say, but keep your chin up and if you need to rant then you know many people here will be here to listen. I really would give you a hug, I think I need one now as I have had to reach for some tissues. Take care x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suebee Posted December 7, 2012 Author Share Posted December 7, 2012 Thanks so much Mrs B x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charly1979 Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 Sorry to hear your news Lizzie sounds like she was a very loved part of your family , I have lost 3 of mine this year (Pudding, Pie and Tullah) and I still miss them greatly..... I hope that you can take comfort in the fact that whilst Lizzie was with you she was having the best life a chicky could have and whilst her last days she may have been unwell Im sure she will have apprceciated the love and care you gave her esp with the mash you made her xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 So sorry to hear about Lizzie. I know how you feel as I have lost two of my little girls recently. Its always hard to loose a girl but at least Lizzie died in her sleep with her friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suebee Posted December 8, 2012 Author Share Posted December 8, 2012 Thank you so much coco and charly. How awful for you two, having lost more than one girl this year. I want to thank everyone who's been in touch. You really are such lovely people, and truly understand. Thanks so much for all your lovely comments. They have made such a difference. We do become so attached to our chooks, don't we. A lot wouldn't understand such feelings. I'm so glad I've met you all... who do xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 Suebee and Cheeky Chooky, I'm so sorry to read about your girls. Sending hugs to both of you xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
