We have all lost birds. We do the best we can for them, and if losing one helps the rest, that is all we can hope for. I lost chickens to egg-binding, that is how I knew what was bothering my parrot.
Yes my thoughts exactly about the dark stool. It was hard to tell for me because she’s always had running messy poo, but when I would go to scoop their poop I noticed hers looked darker than normal mixing in the pine shavings it’s so hard to really tell. Poor sweet girl, I feel to blame for not knowing. I have a total of two now. I’ve always had a total of three. I never wanted a big flock just a small one. I’m probably working on a bigger flock because let’s face it they can be so addicting and a blast to have! They really are my pets. We buried her immediately, but in future if one up and dies I may just get one done to make sure I don’t hav
If her stool was dark it sounds as though there was internal bleeding? Hard to say without photos. Yeah, chickens can get sick and die very suddenly. I’ve had chickens just pass overnight- one was because of loud fireworks, of all things. Being prey animals, it’s somewhat of a mercy that they have this system of passing suddenly when the pain is too much. I had a hen with egg yolk peritonitis survive the surgery, but passed when her pain killer wore off too quickly. They are amazing creatures, fragile in their own ways.
If you feel like it, you could attempt to do a necropsy. I did this once when I was concerned of an outbreak. I was relieved to find it wasn’t a communicable disease. You can also send her body in for a necropsy... I’m not sure where but every state agricultural department should be able to help.
EDIT: If you do a necropsy be sure and wear a mask and gloves and take in consideration safety precautions for yourself...and preform it where contagion could be safely contained, discarded and cleaned up afterwards. It is possible to get sick from doing so, so do try to read up on it first.
Again, I’m so sorry for your loss. I too wish there was more availability of veterinary help for chickens. It can be very distressing, and sometimes feel like their deaths were unnecessary.
thanks!Oh honey, we all learn as we go! Don't be hard on yourself; there's no way to predict what you don't know!
Yes, nutridrench is a good all around immune booster! Just offer it for a few days and watch the others closely. That's all anyone can really do
She was 4 or 5 years old I think. I got her off my dad so she was laying every other day to every few days this year.
Thank you! Oh she’s getting a lot of cuddles and attention now, she’s very sad. I think so too, I wonder what all could cause internal bleeding? Broken egg?Hello I just read your thread and I believe that your Hen is sick from 2-3 weeks back as u mentioned she wasn't eating well that's the exact time to look for symptoms
Dark poop indicate alot of things e.g internal bleeding
I am so sorry friend
Pls take your other hen and give some cuddles to let her forget her pal
That is pretty old for some laying breeds and sex-links especially.
