Big Girl is losing weight! Help me!

[Wyorp Rock]

Today I'm keeping Big Girl in the house with a buddy. The other three are outside all upset because two are missing. Big Girl stays in the canvas dog pen with her sisters at night and sleeps on a wooden perch made by step-dad. I saw her drink plenty this morning, but barely eat. She just looks so weak. I put electroyites in the water. View attachment 1884597

Is her crop empty in the morning before she eats/drinks? Check that.

She's in a canvas dog pen, how much ventilation in that?

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

Nothing in her crop, I don't think. The canvas dog pen is well ventilated, but she's panting heavily. All she wants to do is lay down. She doesn't want to eat or drink. I just don't know what happened to her. I spent a fortune on her for her leg, and now that she doesn't appear to be limping, she's really weak and not eating.

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

She just had a heartattack. She made a few noises, then flopped around in the air and died. I want to thank everyone for their help.

 

[MROO]

She just had a heartattack. She made a few noises, then flopped around in the air and died. I want to thank everyone for their help.

I'm SO sorry! You really cared and you really tried. You have no way of knowing what else was wrong inside of your hen, and you did the best you could under the circumstances. Sooner or later, this happens to all of us, we try and try and in the end, we still lose the critter. As hard as it is, sometimes we have to chalk it up to a learning experience and move on. I know that's easier said than done, but please don't beat yourself up over this!

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

Thank-you. I know I did what I could. I guess I need to change my name to rhodeislandred4. I can still get angry at myself for getting them in the first place. I still plan on finding a home for the other four. After this, I don't want another living creature/pet in my life. All animals do is get diseases and it hurts too much to have them die. I'll stick to my garden/plants/greenhouse. I'm quite used to plant diseases and death.

 

[MROO]

Thank-you. I know I did what I could. I guess I need to change my name to rhodeislandred4. I can still get angry at myself for getting them in the first place. I still plan on finding a home for the other four. After this, I don't want another living creature/pet in my life. All animals do is get diseases and it hurts too much to have them die. I'll stick to my garden/plants/greenhouse. I'm quite used to plant diseases and death.

Nah! Not allowed! No beating your self up for relying on Mother Nature to "play fair!" If you're serious about not keeping your chickens, consider a different pet. There are lots f other critters that are a lot hardier than chickens ... and a lot of them are out there looking for their forever home. Just be open to it, and the right one will find you. They always do!

 

[slordaz]

Thank-you. I know I did what I could. I guess I need to change my name to rhodeislandred4. I can still get angry at myself for getting them in the first place. I still plan on finding a home for the other four. After this, I don't want another living creature/pet in my life. All animals do is get diseases and it hurts too much to have them die. I'll stick to my garden/plants/greenhouse. I'm quite used to plant diseases and death.

Sorry for your lose there RIR it's never easy, the best thing you can do is actually learn everything you can so you can protect and take care of them and give them a good life, it's part of the circle of life for everything including us human beings, no need to be beating yourself up over it you did what you could humanly possible to make her comfortable and treat her.

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

Thanks, but I'm through with pets. Should I ever feel the want for a pet I'll simply remind myself of having to make the decision to put my rabbit down, watching my chicken have a heartattack, and crying. That'll stop me. Perhaps I may try a goldfish in the far future. Or one of those kiddie things with the Triops or Seamonkies. However, I am quite happy with tending to my plants. I get very busy come springtime!

 

[ChickStavie]

Like i said a very similiar thing happend to my favorite runt and there's not much else you can do but move on and learn

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

Sorry about your runt. Oh, I have learned. No more pets for me.