1st death here and scared girls, feedback please?

[ValerieLovesChickens]

So we've managed to keep them alive thru the heat. Went out to do bedtime check, and my favorite female was dead and stiff. She was just fine 4 hours ago.

We did remove the Roo today, as the girls are still not even laying eggs and he had been trying to mount them. However, this Roo has also been her companion, protector, closest flockmate I would say, since they were babies. Could she have died in just a day, from losing him and stress?

No blood, no sign of struggle, and the other girls are acting scared and huddled in the corner.

No predator, nothing... just stiff on the floor of the coop.

Any input please? I'm tired and crying, she was my favorite. Did we do this?

We have placed her in a box, in a bag, inside a tote on the back porch for the night. What do we do now? Put the roo back in with the girls? Leave him out in his new bachelor pad? Could we lose him too from her being gone now? So many questions..... I dont know what to do for the girls in the coop or for him. Please someone reply.....

 

[Sequel]

Oh I’m so sorry! I don’t think a hen would die from that. I’m not an educator here so I don’t have much to offer but sympathy!

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

Thank you. Hopefully someone here might be able to help me out. Just really worried now about the others.

 

[Sequel]

Are th

Thank you. Hopefully someone here might be able to help me out. Just really worried now about the others.

How are you and yours this morning????

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

Thank you for asking. We are grieving, especially our poor Roo. Probably me more than him, or the same, who really knows right? LoL The 2 girls that were her friends seem a little off, but the alpha is pleased as punch with herself. (shaking my head) Vet said it was an alpha vs queen situation, we goofed up. Now the worthless mean bully is alive and my sweet Easter Egger is gone.

Hubby said when I'm ready, he would help me find another or as many as I wanted to raise again. Just sad, going thru the motions here. Going to give her a proper indian burial this evening, the way my grandpa did on his farm.

How are yours doing today? Gonna be another hot day, wait, it already is. *cue the ac window unit in coop again at 3pm* lol

Trying to laugh, but want to cry. Thanks again for reaching out. I know it's just a chicken, but she was my pet of the flock. It's nice to know others care. *hugs*

 

[Birdielee]

Wow. I'm sorry. So the vet's opinion is that the alpha killed her? Because the roo wasn't protecting her? I never heard of a queen.

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

R.I.P. Ladyhawke
3/11/20 - 7/18/20

Wow. I'm sorry. So the vet's opinion is that the alpha killed her? Because the roo wasn't protecting her? I never heard of a queen.

I never had either, and my grandpa and 3 uncles all raised chickens. They were really big flocks though, dual purpose for the family and their small hometowns.

I guess in small backyard flocks, it can happen, although it's rare.

 

[Sequel]

Thank you for asking. We are grieving, especially our poor Roo. Probably me more than him, or the same, who really knows right? LoL The 2 girls that were her friends seem a little off, but the alpha is pleased as punch with herself. (shaking my head) Vet said it was an alpha vs queen situation, we goofed up. Now the worthless mean bully is alive and my sweet Easter Egger is gone.

Hubby said when I'm ready, he would help me find another or as many as I wanted to raise again. Just sad, going thru the motions here. Going to give her a proper indian burial this evening, the way my grandpa did on his farm.

How are yours doing today? Gonna be another hot day, wait, it already is. *cue the ac window unit in coop again at 3pm* lol

Trying to laugh, but want to cry. Thanks again for reaching out. I know it's just a chicken, but she was my pet of the flock. It's nice to know others care. *hugs*

When you have a small flock it is never just a chicken. I lost a little EE last week and now am down to three. Just don’t blame yourself because they really are full of surprises, both good and bad.

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

I’m sorry for your loss
What breed of hen was she?

 

[TomNY]

The vet didn't have a clue but felt he had to say something.