Chicken bald back

[Fourbecameeight]

We picked up eight ex-batt girls today. All in a poor condition, bald and very pale .

Most are moving well and I've seen them eating and drinking. One is hunched 80-90% of the time with her eyes closed. I have seen her eat but not drink. When she does move she is holding herself funny but not limping.

As it was getting dark I have tucked them all up in the cube.

Is she poorly or just stressed after her day?

I will be up early to let them out and will have a look at her. I didn't want to separate her and add to her stress, was that best?

[Beantree]

I presume they had all been checked over and were fine when you collected them FBE. Had they been wormed or do they need to be? Not sure if ex-batts have that problem?

 

Stress is most likely and you did the right thing to keep them all together. It usually takes a couple of weeks to settle down but you will need to keep a close eye on the droopy one. Essential she is drinking. She should be the same weight as the others as well.

[Fourbecameeight]

I found her dead this morning

[gavclojak]

Oh I am really sorry to hear this. I do the BHWT rehoming and am indeed doing one today.

 

All the the girls are checked as they are taken out of the crates, they are off loaded and watched for a while to see if any are not behaving normally, if they are hen they are separated and taken home by one of the rehomers for recuperation.

 

We aslo check them visually when we are picking them up to put in the baskets to go to their new homes but unfortunately I'm sure the odd one gets past us.

 

Stress plays a huge part in any early losses I'm afraid, it really is a hugely stressful day for them, I had not realised until I went to the commercial units to pick the girls what a long day it is for them, that is why we try to get it done in one day, to minimise the stress as mush as possible.

 

It sounds a bit like EP to me and that can come on very quickly.

 

Commercial hens are wormed regularly and are vaccinated so are generally unfit but are usually healthy.

 

I am so sorry she didn't get the chance to feel the sun on her back but thank you for giving her the chance so many of her sisters didn't get.

I am bringing some girls home today too XX

[Purplemaniacs]

So sorry to hear that.

 

Enjoy the other girls, ex batts are lovely but sadly some don't live for long, others like Agnes have a long life of freedom.

 

Chrissie

[Egluntyne]

Sorry to hear it. Nothing you could have done to avoid it, and it is not that uncommon.

[Fourbecameeight]

Thank you everyone.

I had been wondering if I should have brought her in last night.

My daughter is very upset. She had taken to the 'worried one' and asked if she could be hers.

I'm concentrating on enjoying the others. Three clever girls have found the nest box and laid an egg

[jimnpaula]

I had been wondering if I should have brought her in last night.

 

I doubt it would have made any difference really, but at least she was with familiar company. One of my last lot of colony girls, Tequila, didn't thrive - she wouldn't eat or drink unless I put her in front of them, and she was so light when we got her. She only lasted 12 days but at least she was out of her cage when she died, and so was yours. Well done for giving them a chance.

[Millie-Annie]

If you had brought her in and then found her dead this morning you would be blaming yourself for that. Personally I think that would have been more stressful. She had never been alone, never been in a house. You gave her a chance, but sadly she wasn't well enough to take it, but you gave it her.

 

Enjoy your other 7 I hope they lead long happy lives with you and your daughter