Cost of keeping chickens

[Lilalienangel]

I had an old hen once who was my absolute favourite. She was about 10 years old and a hybrid, so shouldn't have lived that long anyway! One day I found her having prolapsed so badly that all her intestines were outside her body on the ground being dragged around. She was an urgent and immediate cull. There was no vet and no saving her. Very sad day that was.
[/QUOTE]
That had to hurt. I'm sorry that happened. I have a new biggest fear now.. That would devastate me.

 

[Chicalina]

I had an old hen once who was my absolute favourite. She was about 10 years old and a hybrid, so shouldn't have lived that long anyway! One day I found her having prolapsed so badly that all her intestines were outside her body on the ground being dragged around. She was an urgent and immediate cull. There was no vet and no saving her. Very sad day that was.

That had to hurt. I'm sorry that happened. I have a new biggest fear now.. That would devastate me.
[/QUOTE]

Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you! Just illustrating the difference between vet or home treat or cull in my personal decision making. I think it must be rare for this to happen. I've had many many chickens and this has only happened once.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Just a bit confused on why she shouldn't have lived that ling. I've had sexlink produce and live a decade or so before they go down

 

[Lilalienangel]

That had to hurt. I'm sorry that happened. I have a new biggest fear now.. That would devastate me.

Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you! Just illustrating the difference between vet or home treat or cull in my personal decision making. I think it must be rare for this to happen. I've had many many chickens and this has only happened once.
[/QUOTE]
No worries.. I'm fine. I actually hurt for you. Thank you though. I guess it's all part of owning chickens. Take the good with the bad.

 

[Chicalina]

Just a bit confused on why she shouldn't have lived that ling. I've had sexlink produce and live a decade or so before they go down

It is unusual because they are egg laying machines and do not tend to live as long as breeds that don't lay so intensively. She was an exception. All my other hybrids from the same hatch died much earlier, a couple at 2 to 3 years and some at 4 to 5 years old. She outlasted them all!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

It is unusual because they are egg laying machines and do not tend to live as long as breeds that don't lay so intensively. She was an exception. All my other hybrids from the same hatch died much earlier, a couple at 2 to 3 years and some at 4 to 5 years old. She outlasted them all!

Wow, good for her. I didn't know that about hybrids.