Oh my goodness guys.... I am so sad, I had to come up to the computer and write to you all, as i feel you guys are the only ones who will understand how I feel. I have been leaving the chickens in until they all lay and I can also be outside with them as I have seen so many hawks lately.. Today I had to go and help out with the drama dept at my DD school and just came in to start chores late, and let the chickens out. I noticed one of my red sex links was in the coop and when the flock went out of the run, I lifted the egg door to collect up all the eggs. I noticed Matilda was still in the box, laying late I thought, and I said hello to her. She had her head down in the corner of the nest box, and I thought for a brief moment... is someone going broody, as she didn't move when I pet her lightly. I pet her a second time, and even though she was soft, she didn't move. I gently lifted her head, and I realized she had passed away. I was so shocked, and for a moment, I couldn't move. I gently picked her up, and brought her into the barn to start to inspect her. I know there are many peeps on BYC who would encourage me to do a necropsy, but I have to tell you, I just don't have it in me. I was actually quite sad, and a bit scared looking at her. Upon looking her over, I realized she had what appears to be a prolapsed vent. Yesterday while she was eating some scratch, I was even laughing over their fluffy butts, and I know she didn't have it then. I feel badly I wasn't around all morning, perhaps I could have noticed some signs she was in distress, and done some of the things that I have read to do for this condition, warm soaks, and preparation H. I tell you, what ever it was.. it happened quickly. She was fine last night, eating, drinking, running around. She is one of my red sex links who lays HUGE, JUMBO eggs. I wonder if that has anything to do with it. Last week, I noticed one of the RSL eggs had yellow yolk on the outside of it, I thought that was strange, I wonder if it was her egg. I feel so badly. I hope that it is that, and not some illness. I looked her all over and at least I saw that her skin was wonderful, no mites, lice or ticks. I always wonder if they have those, none of them let me pick them up.
Good bye to my lil Matilda, I will miss you, and your big delicious eggs. Thanks for the memories, and the eggs.
Her baby pic!
That was supposed to be JIC-just in case. I don't speak text very well!
