Chicken bald back

[Luvachicken]

When I checked on the girls this morning Suzie was missing.

I checked in the nest box and there she was, all curled up with her head tucked in her feathers

 

It wasn't as cold last night as it has been and she seemed fine - apart from a few days ago when she seemed a bit sleepy, but she was still doing chicken things and I thought she was really not liking the cold.

 

I wish I'd have taken her to the vets when she was sleepy.

I am normally so quick to take them to the vets.

 

I am worried now because I did see just one watery poo (which I think Suzie may have done cos she perked up after) the other day and today when I cleaned out the babies I did see some red bits in their poo. Not actual blood but more like a teeny red sausage.

 

Do I have a problem looming ?

I am worming all the girls at the moment.

[redsunset]

Aww, sorry to read that. It's such a shock when you find one like that and oft blame ourselves for not noticing something was up but remember they hide things so well and I have no doubt she had as pampered a life as any chicken could ever wish for. It's us as their owners who take it badly

[Luvachicken]

Thanks Redsunset, we do often blame ourselves.

The thing is apart from being a bit sleepy there wasn't much else to look for.

 

She was eating and drinking and was pretty heavy 700g.

She still gave the babies a little bit of grief.

 

I think Gemma has been quite lost without her today - they were close sisters, hopefully the babies will become her new buddies.

[mullethunter]

Oh luvachicken I'm so sorry to hear about Suzie. Sounds like at least she was comfy and cosy at the end and I'm sure Gemma will settle in with the littl'uns.

 

I don't want to hijack but Bernie still doesn't seem quite herself and it's exactly as you describe - she just seems a bit too sleepy. I keep opening the door very anxiously in the mornings but so far she's always happily emerged. Her and Shelley are extremely close and I dont know what She'll would do without her.

 

Chin up Luvachicken and Gemma x

[bill2b]

luvachicken

Sorry to hear of your loss, we have only had our girls for nearly a year now but I cannot imagine being without any of them. Just don't blame yourself.

[miller30]

Hi Luvachicken sorry to hear about Suzie don't beat yourself up about the vets I'm sure there would have been nothing they could do and I'm sure the poo you were describing from the younger girls was gut lining I've lost a couple over Christmas heart attack etc and some look miserable but it has been cold and wet I just keep making sure they have their treats and tonics leanne

[miller30]

Oh and in case your wondering what I'm doing replying at 3.20am my neighbours are having a party and I can't sleep oh well when they decide to have a lay in with a hangover in the morning let's see if my boys let them leanne

[gavclojak]

So sorry luvachicken, we have all been there....so horrible. I'm sure there was nothing you could have foreseen, all our girls have days when you think???? Is this or that right but we can't run to the vets every time, I for one always give them a day to see if they pick up unless they are very obviously unwell.

How old was Suzie? Maybe it was just her time....

 

Sleep tight little suzie and chin up luvachicken

[Lewis]

Sorry to hear it

 

Please don't beat yourself up about it, you sound like you're really on top of keeping an eye on them and worming. Chickens are prey animals so often hide illness well and she had a great few years with you

[Minnie&Moose]

Very sorry about Suzie. Like others have said, chickens hide these things so well.

[Luvachicken]

I don't want to hijack but Bernie still doesn't seem quite herself and it's exactly as you describe - she just seems a bit too sleepy. I keep opening the door very anxiously in the mornings but so far she's always happily emerged. Her and Shelley are extremely close and I dont know what She'll would do without her.

 

Perhaps taking her to the vet would be a good idea.

I am usually the first to run to the vets at the first sign of something even if they tell me nothing is wrong, but then at least you know.

I should have done that with Suzie but most of the time she seemed so perky, but I feel guilty I didn't give her the chance.

I know lots of you have said not to beat myself up about it but I am usually so quick to go but I didn't this time.

 

She was almost 3 but not sure if that is that old ?

 

Thank you everyone so much for your support and words of comfort, it means a lot and I have learnt from this to always trust my first instinct.

[Lewis]

When asked I usually say chickens live 3-5 years on average, of course there will always be birds that live twice as long as this so while 3 may be middle aged it's not unusual.

 

Keep an eye on the others, though I'm sure they'll be fine

[PixieDust]

So sorry to hear your sad news luvachicken. My sympathies are with you xx

[Luvachicken]

Thank you both xx

[jeshen]

Sorry to hear about poor Suzie. I'd have done just the same as you.

[Purplemaniacs]

Sorry to hear about Suzie. They do seem to hide illness very well.

 

Chrissie

[mrsatroy]

So sorry to hear about Suzie. They hide illness so well and often it is too late when we realise something is wrong. It happened with one of my girls who died in the night before Xmas - I had no idea what happened to her as the day before she was pottering about as usual. It's hard when you're left without an answer and you're left worrying about the girls left behind.

[Luvachicken]

It seems the others are all fine, for the moment anyway.

I will be keeping a close eye on all of them just to make sure.

 

Thank you again for all your wishes and support.