Colorado

[21hens-incharge]

Thank you lomine.
I know it is something that happens.
Funny thing here is I still have 4 of the original 6 that we got 6 years ago. Seems to be my younger birds dying off. I just cannot figure out why.


Some days I feel like sitting on the gutter and screaming. I think It would look something like this.

Trying to cheer myself up. Please bear with me.

 

[emptynesters970]

So sorry to hear, 21hens. I have a very small backyard flock and every morning am hesitant to open the coop door. I guess your post shows me that no matter how much you try to learn, chicken keeping is a big mystery.

 

[Mtn Margie]

21....

 

[COChix]

@21hens-incharge Sorry for your loss. It is hard when you are unsure about the cause of death, as you second guess everything. Been there done that, we have lost a couple birds last year, just random keel over a dead type of scenarios. I found one like you the night before and knew she probably wasn't going survive.

Do you have a necropsy done on the birds to help find out if it is disease related or not? If you don't then maybe consider it with one. Don't beat yourself up too much, these things happen in dealing with live animals.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Thank you everyone. I guess it boils down to thinking I am doing right and being shocked a bit when I lose one. Have not done necropsy on any except "grandma". I had to know with her. She was the one that was eggbound. At least when they have died on me it has been pretty quick not taking days on end. I will be looking at sending a bird in if I lose another. No signs of illness in the flock at all. Normal then BOOM gone.

I would understand it more if it were the older birds.

OK so today is a new day. Going to be warm and melty so that should be fun.

Planning the greenhouse and deciding to go with more of a standard structure. I found automatic opening windows for ventilation. Pricey but would be worth it to put a couple in rather then lose a lot of hard work.

Since we are not moving anytime soon (like ever) I am looking at using the twin wall panels for the greenhouse.
Breaking out the graph paper as spring is coming before we know it.

Have a good day everyone and enjoy that sunshine!

 

[Latestarter]

Just went outside in slippers and a T-shirt to check the chooks. Wow is it nice out. So, I decided to wade through the snow back to the bee hive. Warm enough in the sun today that they should have been moving around. Nope

Opened her up and the bees are all gone except for a few dead ones. Lots of capped honey. <sigh> Oh well, perhaps it's for the better as now I can take both hives with me when I move and not have to worry about bees, or selling them. Blocked the entrance to keep out mice and will deal with it after winter is over.

Hope y'all can get a chance to enjoy this January spring break.

 

[Latestarter]

Well, my Patriots lost, and they deserved to. The Broncos played better and are the better team. They deserved to win. I don't think they'll have the same ability in the superbowl though. The NFC is tough this year. Time will tell.

 

[lomine]

Well now I know exactly how you all feel when you lose a bird.

Went out Saturday morning to find one of my ducks dead in the coop. Necropsy was inconclusive but considering the fact that she showed no signs of illness prior and the other ducks seem fine, the vet is leaning towards a congenital issue. He did say it could have been a toxin though. The other three went to the vet for a check-up. I guess I got scared I would lose them too. Vet said they look and sound good. He took a fecal sample to test and I should know the results soon. I am really hoping nothing comes up and the death was just a fluke. It's hard not knowing because I still feel responsible, she was in my care after all. I'll miss my beautiful Violet.

The other three were really cute at the vet today though. Made me smile for the first time in three days. The whole office staff was pretty excited to see them. The vet had never seen a Welsh Harlequin and said they were very pretty. Guess he mostly sees Pekins. He took pictures. He also took a video for the noise and right when he said that they all started quaking very loudly. It's like they were saying "You want noise? We'll give you noise!" I think spending time with them and my dogs will be the best way to heal.

If anyone needs a good vet in the Colorado Springs area, I highly recommend Yorkshire vet. I have been taking my dogs to them for years. They have four different vets on staff and they are all great, though I didn't know they had an exotic vet until Saturday. The staff and technicians are also great. They were really wonderful when talking on the phone and in the office when I dropped off the body. They were also very sweet today asking me how I was doing.

I think I'm going to go cuddle one of the dogs now.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I am so sorry you lost your little Violet. I am still reeling from losing Sarah so I truly feel your pain. It is certainly a shock when one dies so suddenly with no warning signs.
I am glad you know of a vet that can handle the checkups and fecal testing.

So far all my other chickens are ok. I hope your good fortune with the others holds out too.

and another

 

[lomine]

Thanks 21hens. Glad to hear you aren't having any more problems.