Feeling very lucky the last few days!

I have owned 7 hens over the last 4 years but only 1-3 hens at a time. Due to sickness I have lost 4 (2 had maerks disease and 2 had egg peritonitis) despite spending an awful lot of money at the avian vet.

One of my current 3 had a really bad respiratory problem the other day (I think probably a virus from wild birds). She was so poorly, not eating properly, just sitting hunched up asleep, breathing really heavily, even her comb kept going purplish. The vet wasn't open for 2 days because of the public holiday so I felt sure I'd lose her. I brought her inside and she sat on our kitchen chair all day in a homemade nest. I kept her warm and fed her scrambled egg. Amazingly she has recovered over a period of about 3 days

Then this afternoon I found another hen looking miserable with egg yolk dripping from her back end. I gave her a bath and popped her in a quiet warm place and thankfully she passed a soft broken egg. She seems fine now. Lovely to have a couple of successes after so many failures


Polly recovering from her respiratory trouble




Kitty after her egg problem

Thats great news they both recovered. I know what you mean I have had a lot of failures too when it comes to chickens. Sometimes all they need is a little tlc. Good luck I hope they remain healthy and happy.

I'm so glad you have had some successes. We almost gave up on the chickens last fall as it was getting too painful. We had never had more than 2 at one time but had lost 3 birds in 2.5 years. We lost one to a Hawk attack right next to our house. One was egg bound and lived a few months after medical care from the vet but never laid another egg and we just found her dead in the run one day. My favorite hen Elphie (and best friend at the time) somehow fell in our pool in last October, right before i closed it, and died of hypothermia before I found her. It was a hard decision to get more girls but we did and I am very glad. I could not give Daisy up and I could not keep her alone.

Trisha the egg bound lady


The current flock, Daisy, Patsy, and Lilly

i'm sorry for your loss of Trisha she was a beautiful hen. That is so sweet you bought two chickens for Daisy to have company.

I'm sorry about all the trouble you've been having. Looks like they are on the mend now. Your girls are sooooo pretty! Thanks for sharing!