First loss

[oceansunset73]

I just lost my first baby girl last night. My 1 1/2 year old Production Red hen, Cocoa Bean, passed away from egg yolk peritonitis, which in turn had caused her to have slow crop. Tried refraining food and only giving her water, apple cider vinegar with the mother, then probiotics, daily crop massages, and the crop bra.

I came home from work yesterday, and she was extremely lethargic. Tried to get some water and Nutri-Drench down her, but she just kept spitting everything all back up. I took her inside, made up a comfy bed for her to lay inside a cage for her, and tried to put her in it. While I was putting her in, with all the strength she had left, she grasped onto my fingers with her feet and wouldn't let go. It's like she was saying, "Don't let me go mama". So I sat down, put her in my lap, held her and petted her for about an hour or so, then she just quietly went to sleep.
She knew, she wanted me to stay with her and comfort her until she passed.

First time chicken keeping, so this is the first time with dealing with this. It's hard.

 

[sourland]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[lilmillefleur]

So sorry! It's always hard to lose a pet -- even 'just a chicken.'

 

[N F C]

So sorry you lost your girl. It's nice you were able to be there for her comfort.

 

[Shadrach]

It is hard and I've never got used to it.

 

[Chicken Whisperers]

Awwe I'm so sorry. I have been a chicken owner for many many years, but the first time a hen died we did not know much about them. My little Tigger had curled up by the water heater and "gone to sleep" my mom told me. I was only 5 years old so I thought she literally was just asleep. It is indeed hard to lose a chicken, especially the first one

 

[oceansunset73]

Sorry for your loss.

Thank you.

 

[oceansunset73]

It is hard and I've never got used to it.

Thank you. It is hard.

 

[oceansunset73]

Awwe I'm so sorry. I have been a chicken owner for many many years, but the first time a hen died we did not know much about them. My little Tigger had curled up by the water heater and "gone to sleep" my mom told me. I was only 5 years old so I thought she literally was just asleep. It is indeed hard to lose a chicken, especially the first one

Thank you. I'm just thankful she just went peacefully instead of suffering.

 

[oceansunset73]

So sorry! It's always hard to lose a pet -- even 'just a chicken.'

Thank you so much. Yes. People say, "it's just a chicken" and don't understand how much personality and character each one actually have. They are amazing creatures.