Black Australorp died unexpectedly please help me understand why

[ManueB]

Does she seem more agitated than normal? Does she fluff her feathers out while she walks around? Does she want to hang out in one secluded spot, or in a nest box? What you describe sounds to me like she might be going broody. I'd look up what that looks like on here - there are posts and you could probably find some good videos about it. If she's in the preliminary broody stage, very loud and talking a lot fits. Broody hens get pissy, for lack of a better word, and they look like fat flat pancakes once they've picked a "nest". Irritated, easily ticked off by other hens, telling the world they're the best, etc. They eventually pick a spot to brood on, and refuse to leave it. Most of the time there's eggs in the spot, sometimes there aren't (for the really cracked in the head hens). Some hens will brood on a rock or nothing at all.

You can either let them sit and raise chicks or try to break them - there's a good article on here ( https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/broody-breaking-ala-aart.77915/ ).

They may break on their own after a while. Most folks let them be dedicated for a few weeks before giving them eggs or chicks. Remove all eggs under her every day until it's time for her to sit. Eggs that are warm for 2-3 days start to incubate. You don't have a rooster, so this may not be as big of a deal - the eggs are fine to eat. Hens go broody without a roo present to actually make the eggs fertile all the time. After at least 3 weeks of dedicated brooding, you can slip fertile eggs or day-old chicks under her from the feedstore if you want to. Feedstore chicks are 3 days old at least, while she's supposed to start with chicks that are 0 days old, so get the youngest ones possible from the feedstore, and keep an eye out for the first day or so to make sure she's taking them to eat and drink (normally the hen waits 3 days once the first chick hatches for the others to hatch before she takes everyone to eat and drink, so if you do this make sure there's no eggs under her when you sneak the chicks under her). If you get chicks from the feedstore, get them home, make sure they have a few hours to settle down, eat and drink, and be warm (you'll need a heat lamp) and then most folks wait till just after dark and sneak the day old chicks under the broody hen. Keep an eye out to make sure she accepts them and doesn't attack them, and takes them to eat and drink the next day.

I put chicks under my broody in the middle of the day, and she accepted them immediately even knowing they came out of the house in my hand, and didn't hatch under her. She was that desperate to own all the chicks. But I have an awesome broody.

If this doesn't describe your hen's behavior, I'm not sure what to tell you. She could be agitated by a predator you haven't seen yet. She could have an illness. But loud annoying bawking all the time is often an indication of impending broodiness. There's a certain type of bawking they do when broody. If you find some videos you might could compare the sound to what your hen is doing - it's quite distinctive.

I did not think about broodiness, here is a video of one of my bantams getting broody. The vocals can vary a bit depending on the hen.

Morning all, I have a new related? problem. The Orpington is behaving in a way I've never seen / heard before. For about 7 hours yesterday she started this extremely loud yell / cry that sounded something like this:
bawk bawk bawk BAWK BAWK BAWK BAWK bawk bawk bawk BAWK BAWK BAWK BAWK, bawk bawk bawk BAWK BAWK BAWK BAWK

She barely stopped to intake breath and then started all over again, repeat, repeat, repeat. She did this for hours. I let them out to free range and she acted normal. Back in the run, she started yelling all over again until roost time.

The first time I heard it, I ran to the window and saw her flying around the run and she smashed into the 'wall' which is an open air run. I ran out to inspect her for injury. She now has wonky feathers on her left wing and chest area but otherwise seems uninjured. I placed her in my lap and sat there with her like that for over a half hour. She continued to BAWK BAWK BAWK in my lap but made no effort to leave. I don't understand this behavior. Is it grief reaction to the loss of Luna? Luna and Opal (the BO) were shipped together almost six months ago. I now understand that Luna was the leader, I thought she was the underling but I had that wrong. She was the glue that held the tiny flock together. Both the girls seem despondent and I don't know how to console them. Opal's vocals are new. She has never acted this way the entire time we've had her. I don't know what to do. I will spend more time with them but I can't sit in the run all day, not that my presence is any consolation. Is there anything I can I give her to calm her down over the next few days?

I used to know how to edit / update an original post, but for the life of me now I can't figure it out. My pistons are not all firing properly.

Any help or insight is appreciated. Thank you all for your support. I would be lost without the BYC community.

@ManueB @FunClucks @Wyorp Rock @OrpingtonManiac @Eggcessive @AinaWGSD @WingItRanch

My first idea is close to grief : schock and trauma. She died in the run so they associate the run with her death.

Unusual vocalisation are not uncommon after a death in the flock. It's happened in my flock twice when significant members of the flock died. I would describe the noise as what is commonly (and wrongly) called the egg call, but with a rolling R to it.
I take your hen vocalisation to mean that she says something is very wrong and I think she may have been trying to get out of the run.
I had an attack at dawn in my coop just before Christmas that resulted in a death. For three weeks it was very difficult to get the chickens to roost in the coop. While Luna did not die from an attack, the remaining hens may associate that death with the run, and be very afraid to be locked in it.

It is often said that changes cause stress for chickens. I would stick close to what they are used to in term of habit as much as possible. An absence creates an imbalance and they need time to process.

I understand you do not like giving "treats" to your chickens. (Disclaimer : There is a strong current of opinion on BYC that any departure from commercial feed is dangerous to chicken's health and I personally don't agree with it at all). In this case, I would advise you to find something you can consider a relatively healthy treat and use it to create a pleasant association with the run, more than just getting them in there. Maybe you could hang a cabbage for them every afternoon, or something that will take a while to eat.

But I would also try to check if it feels like your hen is afraid of something especially and make sure no predator broke in, just in case.

Give Opal some time. Two weeks is a minimum before things become the new normal.
I hope this helps a bit and that you get more advice.

 

[Bawkbok]

My first idea is close to grief : schock and trauma. She died in the run so they associate the run with her death.

Thank you for your insight. She didn't die in the run, she died in my arms in the bathroom. She was however, splayed out in the run, near death in high distress while Opal was running back and forth like a caged tiger yelling and squawking which is what caught my attention from inside the house (windows were open so I could hear).

I would advise you to find something you can consider a relatively healthy treat and use it to create a pleasant association with the run,

I did scramble an egg, which is her favorite, she ate wholeheartedly and then resumed her bawking yell.

But I would also try to check if it feels like your hen is afraid of something especially and make sure no predator broke in, just in case.

That was my first thought when I saw her flying around in a panic. The only thing I can think of that scared her forcing her to not get away is there must have been 100 Robins in the yard, all around on the ground and in the trees surrounding the run, dang birds. They come through here for two weeks this time every year. Nothing got in the run. Just bad timing on all that I guess.

She did lay an egg yesterday which I was grateful to see. She came out right away so not broody.

Two weeks feels like an eternity. By then, it will be time to pick up the new pullets - so stress will start all over again!

 

[WingItRanch]

This is just my opinion but I do not think this is broody behavior. To me, it sounds like they are re-establishing the pecking order now that there's two of them.

 

[townchicks]

I think she is calling and looking for her sister. I have seen similar behavior in my flock when a hen passed, though not as extreme as you describe. There is not much you can do that you are not already doing. You might try scattering some lavender around the run, it is supposed to be calming, and ok for them to eat, if not sprayed with anything. Treats in the run to encourage scratching and pecking may help, a little temporary " imbalance in nutrition" for now will not hurt.

 

[ManueB]

Two weeks feels like an eternity. By then, it will be time to pick up the new pullets - so stress will start all over again!

How is Opal behaving today ?

Chicken drama is not always fun, but two weeks will go by quickly. And you should likely start seeing improvement in a few days.

You probably know this- you are also key to helping them cope through your attitude. They will pick your stress and sadness, so try to stay as relaxed as possible !
My flock has experienced a lot of stress at times, and I unfortunately can get easily upset and agitated myself. At those times my chickens have always been more serene with my partner who jokes constantly with them and takes everything lightly. I've made a habit of singing or putting classical lullabies at roost time for the chickens, which helps me stay calm and focused, and seems to help them too.

If you are into herbal and alternative remedies, you could have a look at Bach's flower rescue remedy for pets. ( I haven't tried it myself although I have a friend who found it helpful. I think you need to believe it will work for it to have any efficiency !)

I also sprinkle small amounts of homegrown lavender and lemon balm in the coop. I'm not sure if it soothes anyone, but it smells good !

 

[Bawkbok]

How is Opal behaving today ?

Chicken drama is not always fun, but two weeks will go by quickly. And you should likely start seeing improvement in a few days.

You probably know this- you are also key to helping them cope through your attitude. They will pick your stress and sadness, so try to stay as relaxed as possible !
My flock has experienced a lot of stress at times, and I unfortunately can get easily upset and agitated myself. At those times my chickens have always been more serene with my partner who jokes constantly with them and takes everything lightly. I've made a habit of singing or putting classical lullabies at roost time for the chickens, which helps me stay calm and focused, and seems to help them too.

If you are into herbal and alternative remedies, you could have a look at Bach's flower rescue remedy for pets. ( I haven't tried it myself although I have a friend who found it helpful. I think you need to believe it will work for it to have any efficiency !)

I also sprinkle small amounts of homegrown lavender and lemon balm in the coop. I'm not sure if it soothes anyone, but it smells good !

Good morning, Thank you for inquiring.
Opal seems more calm today. She's currently on the nest, hopefully working on another egg. She laid yesterday. I'm grateful she doesn't seem too overstressed that it interrupted her production line.
Knowing how sensitive chickens are to the energy of the environment and us, I limited my exposure to them for the first couple of days to just letting them out and back in the run and of course hanging out with them in the yard to watch the skies for adversaries.

Yesterday I had a good cleanse (the dam broke big time and I cried buckets). I left the dogs out to protect the girls while confined to the run from all the Robins in the yard, which seems to stress them out. He is a good bird chaser.

Opal is very clingy to me. She always followed me before (for treats) but now she is right at my heels wherever I go in the yard. Poor Goldie, (the non producing Comet) is super lost without Luna as they were best buds. She stands around a lot in the yard looking all over exuding a pitiful soft whiney cry for lack of a better description. I get low to her face, smile and speak softly to her for whatever that's worth. She stares at me tilting her head. I speak positive words of love to her and tell her how beautiful she is. I'm probably losing my mind.

The two of them were laying side by side in the run yesterday for a dirt bath (never happened before) and they were side by side on their favorite perch this morning. It's been four days since they've used the perch. I think they are bonding together for the first time in 5 months. What choice do they have, right?

We do have Lavender and I will sprinkle some of that in the nest tonight. Our Lemonbalm didn't make it through the winter so I will have to buy more. I've not heard of Bach's flower rescue remedy for pets but will look into it.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We are looking forward to the new Orpingtons that will arrive in a few weeks.

 

[townchicks]

Hang in there. It will get better for you and your girls. It's great that they are bonding now, that will speed up the healing for them. A good cry can be so cathartic, I'm glad you were able to get to that point. Keep us posted on the new girls.

 

[Bawkbok]

Keep us posted on the new girls.

Well, they were to ship on 2/18 but due to the arctic blast they pushed it back to 2/25. I'm bummed but all is as it ought be I keep telling myself. Not safe to ship them in -24 degree temps. I get that they can't guarantee live arrival in such cold temps.

I added a third pullet to the order since our Goldie (Golden Comet) has taken another turn for the worse (separate thread to read all about it). As she won't be long for this world, I thought increasing the number now is a good idea as all the hatcheries are running low on stock. They told me this is the first year they've run out of started pullets. They had no more heritage breeds available (that happened in less than one week). I swore I would never go with another production breed with all the bad luck we've had with them, but that was my only choice - a Cinnamon Queen. So that's what I did. Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky this time and the bird will actually lay some eggs. That's what this is all about - eggs.

Yesterday, 2/20, was our one year anniversary with having chickens. It's taken me this long to turn my hat around, so to speak, and review and assume the perspective of production. That's why we're doing this and we've been throwing out so much money over the course of the year on this initiative I want to see some return for our investment. As far as Goldie is concerned, I am now prepared to cull her if I think she's too uncomfortable vs. just waiting for nature to run it's course. She can no longer serve in the capacity as trainer for newbies so I'm thinking I should 'release' her before they get here and take the chance on our one and only orpington dealing with being alone until the pullets arrive in another week. These are the issues that plague my mind.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

 

[FunClucks]

Well, they were to ship on 2/18 but due to the arctic blast they pushed it back to 2/25. I'm bummed but all is as it ought be I keep telling myself. Not safe to ship them in -24 degree temps. I get that they can't guarantee live arrival in such cold temps.

I added a third pullet to the order since our Goldie (Golden Comet) has taken another turn for the worse (separate thread to read all about it). As she won't be long for this world, I thought increasing the number now is a good idea as all the hatcheries are running low on stock. They told me this is the first year they've run out of started pullets. They had no more heritage breeds available (that happened in less than one week). I swore I would never go with another production breed with all the bad luck we've had with them, but that was my only choice - a Cinnamon Queen. So that's what I did. Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky this time and the bird will actually lay some eggs. That's what this is all about - eggs.

Yesterday, 2/20, was our one year anniversary with having chickens. It's taken me this long to turn my hat around, so to speak, and review and assume the perspective of production. That's why we're doing this and we've been throwing out so much money over the course of the year on this initiative I want to see some return for our investment. As far as Goldie is concerned, I am now prepared to cull her if I think she's too uncomfortable vs. just waiting for nature to run it's course. She can no longer serve in the capacity as trainer for newbies so I'm thinking I should 'release' her before they get here and take the chance on our one and only orpington dealing with being alone until the pullets arrive in another week. These are the issues that plague my mind.

Sending you supportive thoughts. It can be hard to decide what to do. I've heard good things about Cinnamon Queens. Sometimes the production birds live longer - I have 2 ISA Browns (production eggers) that have been perfectly healthy for going on 3+ years now, and a few production white leghorns that are younger. One ISA lays thin shelled eggs despite my best efforts for the last year, so I just feed those back to the flock daily - they always crack if I try to wash them. The other lays great eggs every few days when she's laying (not daily anymore), which we keep for our own use since the whites aren't as thick and strong as they should be because she's an older hen. Still makes great scrambled eggs for us, but some of our egg customers don't like them, so we eat them. Both of their personalities are friendly to people, and they don't bully the other chickens or feather pick like their ISA Brown flockmates did, so they will stay with us until they pass from natural causes or I have to cull due to illness.

When you figure how long your orpington will be alone, don't forget the time the chicks will spend in the brooder away from her. And she probably appreciates her Golden Comet flockmate keeping her warm at night in the cold weather we've been having. She will love being head of the flock and bullying the younger chicks.

I had a favorite chicken, Chipmunk, that was smaller than everyone else, and therefore the victim of the flock - I moved her to a new enclosure with a bunch of young pullets, and she loved lording it over everyone - she gained confidence in herself, and it reduced her stress so much that her eggs were actually 20-30% bigger in her new coop where she was head hen. She maintained her position for some time even after they were bigger than her, but were not yet laying. It would have been interesting to see if they eventually deposed her as head of flock, but unfortunately we lost her in a flash flood. I still miss that chicken.