Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[sjp]

I fond one of my girls dead in the run yesterday tea time when I went to check for eggs. she was one of my first batch of my own crosses she was just 4 years old and had not log started laying again she hasn't shown any sign of illness and hadn't separated herself of from the rest of the group. I gave body a bit of a check over before I bagged it up it was still warm but stiff the head gear was nice and red the body was light like other birds that I lost that had shown signs that they were on their way out and there were no signs of a broken neck or other bone and no blood cuts or s"Ooops, word censored!"es so she hadn't been fighting but to be fair she never has had any cuts from fighting or been bullied she's always known her place in the pecking order, I'm at a loss to figure out why she died if she'd had been shown any signs then that would be the end of the matter any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated please

[miller30]

Hi probably one of those things you will never know I've had perfectly healthy birds go to bed next morning when I go to let them out they are dead just a couple of weeks ago I let a group of my Pekins out then went down to collect eggs like you to find one of my Millie girls had gone back in and just died I could find no reason it's such a shame leanne

[Chickabee]

Oh that's so sad. So sorry for both of you

[Patricia W]

I'm so sorry. Maybe a heart attack or stroke? She obviously didn't suffer so that's a blessing.

[sjp]

miller30 that's the line I'm taking but I thought a 2nd opinion or 3 wouldn't hurt

Patricia W I've been lucky I've only had to cull one pullet that had bounced off the walls and end up paralysed the other 5 hens went peacefully thinking about it we had that thunderstorm Saturday so that could have started something off

Chickabee thank you

[Scary Mary]

How very strange, my Daphne was dead in the run yesterday evening too - completely unmarked and in very good condition (except for being dead!). She was a good weight and only just over 3 years old.

 

The only thing I can think of was her heart just gave out - she looked peaceful, stretched out, not hunched, with with her eyes closed. I am sure she was not ill as the last time I saw her she was up to her usual tricks and busy stalking a blackbird who dared to fly into their enclosure.

 

After all these years it still hurts to lose one though, so my sympathies are with you too.

 

Mary

[Daphne]

Sorry to hear that SJP But like the others, I'd be reasonably sure your girl either had a sudden heart attack type of thing, or something internal which you'll never get to the bottom of without a pm. 4 years isn't a bad age though, and best of all there is nothing to indicate that there is a) anything infectious or b) anything preventable. I know it doesn't make it any easier though

[clucker1]

Oh dear and my chicken died yesterday too, found her in the run. My sympathies to everyone.

[TooLilac]

Oh now, sounds like lots of us are having a sad week of losses.

I found one of mine tonight, stone cold with a broken wing and possibly broken neck. We think she misjudged her flight down from a high roost in the WIR and just crashed out. Silly thing. I am jusy hoping it was quick and she didn't suffer.

it's heartbreaking to lose one, isn't it.

[mollyripkim]

I'm so sorry for all your losses, it's horrible to lose them.

[Valkyrie]

I agree - lost one of mine - I wouldn't have found the problem and thankfully the vet eventually did - but not at first. Just I noticed she wasn't eating her tea and looked rather sad today. But these things happen and being a glutton for punishment I'm now looking for another pekin to keep my other one company. I do have 3 birds left in total and I have 2 on order. They are all quite old now so my idea was to get 2 and then another 2 next year, but they are dropping a little quicker than I anticipated!!!!

[newcountrygirl]

So sad to hear all these stories. Chin up everyone - Spring is just around the corner and hopefully our girlies (and boys) will be able to have a lovely time in the sunshine.