timebandit Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 A year ago I homed four rescued chickens. In the last two months, three of them have died. I am worried that I could be doing something wrong that is contributing to their deaths and wanted to ask the more experienced chicken people on here about it please. The first girl to go was I think a loss due to natural causes. She died on the way to the vet after laying an egg covered with spots of blood. The next two though I don't understand. They died about two weeks apart, one of them today. The girl who died today seemed fine when she went off to bed last night. Can anyone think of something basic that I might be doing wrong? For example if there are old food pellets that they've picked up, could that kill them? Any help is gratefully received I want to make sure everything is OK before getting some new friends for my lone chicken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Helo there, it could be it's just bad timing, as ex batts can last anything from a few days to a couple of years. Did they have any other symptoms? I think they're normally vaccinated against the main diseases. As for old food I wouldn't imagine if they found stuff scratching around that would be it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Welcome to the forum, and I'm sorry you've had such a sad experience. Were these ex battery hens? I think the most likely cause is that battery hens often have underlying health problems due to the way they've been kept, and also they are bred to have a fairly short lifespan and to be effective laying machines. By the time you took them on they were probably halfway through their likely lifespan - some battery hens can live a lot longer but it's pot luck. If you can describe any symptoms then we might be able to give a view but I think if it were something like bad food or living conditions you'd have realised it. Don't blame yourself, you gave these hens a chance of life even if it was only for a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timebandit Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 Thanks for the replies. These were my first chickens and they all came from a factory somewhere. The girl who died today didn't have any symptoms other than staying in the house this morning, she managed to come out for some meal worms but then went back in. I did wonder if the heat might have had something to do with it. She did have water and some shade though. The previous one to die had seemed hot, she was panting even though back then the weather was cool. I'll will be getting some more rescue girls. It's so nice to see them happy, even if they only live a year or so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Ah bless you, did you go through BHWT, I got 5 girls 7 weeks ago and they are flourishing, good for you keeping at it too x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timebandit Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 Yes they all came from the BHWT I believe some more chickens will be available locally in about a week, so I'm hoping to get some of them. My one remaining girl let out a couple bloody curdling squawks this morning when she got up and saw that she had no friends She was OK when I went out though, I think she feels better if she sees me or the dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 ah thats too sad, bless her. glad to hear your going for ex-batts again, they need all the help they can get, as you know. i didnt really have any expectations on how long my girls will last but thought if they only last a week, that is a great week of free ranging, scratching and being real hens but hopefully god willing and fox willing they will have a long and happy retirement. good luck and look forward to seeing your post saying your new girls have come home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 It's always a lottery with ex-bats. I've had one who died after a few weeks and another who lived 3 years. I get them knowing that just one day of freedom is better than the life they've led before. The three I have now have been with me about 18 months. I'm expecting that I will lose them over the next year, but I know they've had a lot of pleasure and given me pleasure too. If you want long lived chickens then pure breeds are best, but they don't lay in the winter. Hybrids don't always live as long but lay all year round. But why not get more ex-bats? You certainly are not doing anything wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarabb4 Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 I had 3 exbatts about 4 years ago. 2 of them died within weeks of us getting them and it was in hot stretch just like we're having now. The remaining 1 and the one we got as a replacement lasted another 2 and 3 years respectively... I think some just can't cope with life after cage..... But others can!x I'm sure you are doing the right things! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
