Chicken bald back

[LilyintheValley]

Eva has been under the weather for a few days, she had watery poo and became very withdrawn. I made an appointment with our nearest chicken vet (which is 50 miles away) for yesterday morning but I had to cancel as my elderly Mum was taken ill on Tuesday with a suspected stroke & I spent the night in A/E with her. The Vet advised me to syringe dioralyte into her (Eva, not my Mum) and keep her warm which did as best as I could when I got back from the hospital yesterday. She seemed to perk up in the evening but this morning she was lying on her side. I tried her with a bit more dioralyte and she swallowed a bit but then seemed to have a bit of a shaking fit and died in my arms. I'm so upset. I've just dropped her off at our local Vet for cremation and I feel a bit better knowing she's being given a decent send-off but I feel so guilty that I didn't get her to the Vet in time. My other girls are absolutely fine by the way. The chicken Vet said they could do a post-mortem but 50 miles is a long way to drive in this weather and I can't really afford it. She was only 2

[Daphne]

Please don't feel bad - you did everything you could in the circumstances and its very possible that Eva would have died or had to be PTS by the vet anyway. Its always difficult when a bird dies, you obviously cared a lot about her. RIP Eva

 

I really hope your Mum is OK

[LilyintheValley]

Thank you Daphne, you are quite right of course, but I can't help feeling bad. It was just bad timing I guess, and obviously I had to prioritise my Mum over my chicken

 

My Mum is recovering slowly, they think it was a TIA complicated by a nasty sinus infection - she lost her speech and went right off her legs but she seems to be getting better gradually. She's back home and managing ok with help.

[Leicester_H]

Hi

I know how hard it is when they go. Mine are pets (primarily).

Don't blame yourself - you were going to take her to the vet - chickens naturally hide illness as (in the wild) they don't want to appear weak and get attacked by predators, so often, by the time they show any symptoms, its too late to do anything as they tend to go down hill fast.

 

My signature below is incorrect (others have died since I updated it) - mine are buried at the bottom of the garden with large stones and/or heavy pots on top.

 

I know you can't yet, but think of the good times she had.

 

Hope your mother gets well soon.

 

H

[LilyintheValley]

Thank you H, my girls are as much my pets as my cats & dog

[percy049]

So sorry to hear this, I doubt there is much the vet could do anyway.

 

Glad your mum is recovering

[LilyintheValley]

Thank you Percy, I am trying not to dwell on the "what if"s & "if only"s, and you are quite right, she did look pretty sick yesterday

[mullethunter]

As others have said it probably wouldn't have made any difference if you'd got her to the vets and of course you couldn't. I do understand how you feel though and would feel the same.

 

Best wishes for your mums recovery - stroke rehab can do amazing things.

[redsunset]

Aw, sorry to read this. We all, well those of us with a number of Chooks for a few years remember our first loss. You did your best and gave her a lovely life for two years. I have lost a fair few over three years, some sudden, no outward explanation, some through obvious illness (taken indoors but sadly passed at similar age) and some over two years old esp if hybrids. It's not nice, and it's the downside of Chook keeping. But.......the benefits of watching them pottering about happily and finding your first egg make it all worthwhile..

[wez]

So sorry to hear this ... when you love animals, you love them, simple as that. Not your fault, and although chooks are seen as an easy keep pet etc, they are actually very complex little creatures who do all they can to mask illness as others have said. She had a good life, was much loved and you were with her at the end ... if your time has come, there's probably not a better way than to have someone who cares for you there to gently hold your wing x

 

PS hope mum recovers too x

 

[LilyintheValley]

Thank you all for your kind words. It is nice to know there are people who understand. Eva's passing has been met with both indifference and mirth by my own family & friends. Even my Mum (who is now greatly recovered, thank you to those who asked), laughed when I told her. And if one more person says "Well, that's Sunday lunch sorted"...

 

I still regret not getting Eva to the Vet sooner, but if I notice similar symptoms in my other girls I will know to act quicker. The upside is that hubby has said I can have a Go Up (or whatever it is called) to extend off my existing WI run, and 3 new Miss Pepperpots to keep Winnie company in the spring. Winnie & Eva were my only 2 Pepperpots in a sea of ginger, and they were inseparable.

 

Thank you again

[Luvachicken]

Sorry my reply is a bit late, but I wanted to say that we do all know how you feel.

Whether it is your first chicken or later down the line, it is hard to lose a much loved pet.

 

I also missed my chance to go to the vet and I still worry about that.

It takes a special person to look after pets and I think that's why not every one gets it when one dies.

There will always be someone that makes a joke.

 

I hope your Mum keeps getting better and that when you get some new girls they settle in well

[Jen the Hen]

Hi LilyintheValley,

 

I took lost my first pet chook on Sunday morning, so I completely understand how you're feeling. Hilda was my friendliest hen and loved her cuddles, so she'll be greatly missed. Both me and my hubby were in tears - what a pair! Similar story to your Eva - brought Hilda into the house to keep her warm and was giving her antibiotics, which appeared to be working, only to find her claws-up on Sunday morning...so sad. She had lots of cuddles and sweetcorn treats before though, and I know she had a good life. I'm sure you feel the same about Eva too.

 

Take care,

 

Jen

[mrsatroy]

So sorry to hear about your loss. I have lost 3 girls over the past 3 years and each time it's been so hard. Like you, family and friends seem to treat the death of one of my pets with great mirth and laughter. I hope you feel better soon.