Goodbye Maryanne, last of our original three hens

[patandchickens]

thank you all for your kind words.

It was sad going out there this morning and not having her come over and inquire about the day's treats; but on the other hand at least now I don't have to keep staring at her wondering how she is feeling and whether there's anything else I should be doing and how long she'll hang on, poor thing.

I'm half tempted to email the guy I'm getting EE chicks and turkeys from in a couple months, and asking whether he might be able to add 3 red sexlink chicks to my order.

Thanks,

Pat

 

[Wynette]

Awe, Pat - I'm SO sorry! My heart aches for you!!

I've been thinking a lot lately about maturing pullets so early...I have to say, I've been one in the past who has started feeding layer feed right at 18 weeks. But, I've been wondering if this is not the best thing to do. In my research, I ran across a feed that states, as one of its benefits, "Designed to control body weight and delay sexual maturity in order to reduce the incidence of "blowouts" and premature egg laying" I just ordered a few bags of it for my current babies, who are now 10 weeks. Although I realize I won't get eggs as soon, maybe the girls will be around longer.

Anyway, hugs....thinking of you!

 

[Attack Chicken]

So sorry about what happened

Atleast she finished her life with great caring people and I'm sure she will always remember you and your family *hugs*

 

[Lunachick]

I'm sorry for your loss Pat. My original 2 red sex links were 2 yrs old in January. I'm hoping they don't have that problem.

PS - get those 3 red sex link babies!! They're such nice birds.

 

[DDRanch]

Pat,
I am so sorry about your loss. There is something so special about original hens. It sounds like she had a wonderful life and was well cared for.

Anne

P.S. What is internal laying? I have not heard that term.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
I'm probably using it a bit imprecisely (as many people do), meaning when the eggs stop going properly down the reproductive tract and instead accumulate in there or in the abdominal cavity, shell-less, and ultimately get infected. It seems like usually what you see is the hen stops laying, starts getting big and boggy in the tummy, starts looking uncomfortable and standing/walking with her tail held down, and often passes some chunks of weird, rubbery yellow material that looks kind of like blobs of hardboiled yolk. When they last for some months, the hen often gets quite bloated and/or emaciated (it actually *is* possible to be both at once), presumably from peritonitis etc.

Some people try to treat it with having the chicken spayed (mucho expensive), or drawing off excess abdominal fluid to keep the hen comfortable (not without risk), or manipulating daylength to try to get the reproductive tract to take some time off for a molt and then start up properly again - not successful in my case, but possibly might work sometimes). In the vast majority of cases, however, the hen dies.

You know what, I *am* going to send an email and see if I can't get three sexlinks added to my other order. If he can't do it then that is ok but I think I will try.

Don't tell my husband

Pat

 

[TXmom]

I'm so sorry, Pat.

 

[DDRanch]

Quote:
I'm probably using it a bit imprecisely (as many people do), meaning when the eggs stop going properly down the reproductive tract and instead accumulate in there or in the abdominal cavity, shell-less, and ultimately get infected. It seems like usually what you see is the hen stops laying, starts getting big and boggy in the tummy, starts looking uncomfortable and standing/walking with her tail held down, and often passes some chunks of weird, rubbery yellow material that looks kind of like blobs of hardboiled yolk. When they last for some months, the hen often gets quite bloated and/or emaciated (it actually *is* possible to be both at once), presumably from peritonitis etc.

Some people try to treat it with having the chicken spayed (mucho expensive), or drawing off excess abdominal fluid to keep the hen comfortable (not without risk), or manipulating daylength to try to get the reproductive tract to take some time off for a molt and then start up properly again - not successful in my case, but possibly might work sometimes). In the vast majority of cases, however, the hen dies.

You know what, I *am* going to send an email and see if I can't get three sexlinks added to my other order. If he can't do it then that is ok but I think I will try.

Don't tell my husband

Pat

Thanks Pat. And your secret is safe with me.
Anne

 

[bayouchica]

Pat, I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[patandchickens]

Epilogue -- three sexlink pullet chicks have indeed been added to my May order. My son will be happy

I think I am sensing an unbroken succession of Marigold-Matilda-Maryanne sexlinks stretching out ahead of us through the years...

Pat