LolaCola Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 As some of you might remember, I had a bit if trouble hatching Silkies last summer, then a month ago, one of the two Silkies we managed to hatch, died, all of a sudden Almost a month to the day later, the other one has now passed She/he was looking a little sluggish a few days previous and then one morning, looked like it was going to keel over, so I brought it indoors, for a few hours, to warm it up, then I knew it was fading, and had lost a lot of weight (had been eating fine!) wouldn't drink, and died having a cuddle, in my arms. She seamed to recover from losing the other Silkie and doted on its new friend, a little Pekin named Pricilla, so much so, we renamed it Elvis. Whilst she/he was 'sleeping' in my arms - I found it had I guest, red mite Can they kill a little chicken? Or is there a virus amongst my girls??? The others seem healthy ad I would go as far as to say thriving, but I would have said that, a week ago do was little Sugar Elvis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Oh I am so sorry to hear that, what a shame. I think I read that a large infestation can bring them down and make them susceptible to other things but don't be hard on yourself, it's hard to keep a check with the darker evenings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Oh dear so sorry to hear this The red mite could certainly have brought your little silkie down low and that's when illness strikes. Well you definitely want to get on top of the red mite believe me!!!! I had an infestation in my wooden coop in the summer and it was unbelievable how fast the take hold!!!My poor pekin growers didn't want to go to bed...trying to roost by flying up on to me.....no wonder when I found out why!!!Grrr Argh I used the pink total mite kill and found it to be very good, but you do have to keep at it! Got rid of the wooden coop in the end!! I'd also keep an eye on your others just in case there's something else going on too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaCola Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 With all the rain, I admit, I havnt been on top of checking the housing I brought the pink spray and the powder for the girls, but I have decided to get rid of the wooden coop and buy a cube and classic.Then in a few months, once I'm sure, the little Red Devils have gone and there is no virus hanging around, then I'll get Pricilla a little friend. Untill then, poor little one is following the hybrids around bad getting quite a beating, I'm off to get some bumpa bits tomorow so they can't do any real damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaCola Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 I forgot to add - they are all more than happy to go to bed, which makes me think (and worry!) that its something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 LolaCola so sorry to read about your last little Silkie. You have had an awful time with your hatching, I think we were so lucky with the hatches we did. I hope you will be more succesful in 2013 I hope Precilla is ok until she gets some new little friends. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaCola Posted January 9, 2013 Author Share Posted January 9, 2013 Little Prisilla s doing well, seems quite happy pottering about by herself, winding up the hybrids, because she's aloud to FR and there not (because there bullying her ) Ordered a Cube and Classic in pink so no more wooden housing for us So hopefully, rehousing plus the powders and sprays should sort the problem Then I'll set about finding the Pekin a little friend, proberly another Pekin. Don't think I'll ever try hatching again, to watch something's first breath and, tragically, it's last, is just to much for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Oh that's a shame, but I totally get where you're coming from. My girls which I hatched and kept are all doing well thankfully and Martha has just started to lay!!!! But I lost my cockerel Monty (loved him ) suddenly in dec and so got in touch with the lad that took 3 of my beautiful boys I hatched, hopping for a grandson later on this year. Sadly he had some illness which took all his flock, including my 3 boys!!! SO sad If you did want to give hatching another go, my tips would be, use a broody hen. It's more natural and the chicks benefit from this also hatch earlier, so then the chicks have the longer/warmer days to grow and mature in, before the winter months. I don't think I will hatch for a while.....but will probably do it again sometime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 So sorry to hear about your Silkie, LolaCola Huge hugs! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
