Chicky died tonight.
We don't know what happened. S/he was fine when we all left this evening. My dh can home a couple hrs later to find her lying on her back nearly dead. I called on my way home from a b-day party and he was distraught. He told me what happened and that he was carrying her around with him, but she was just lying limp in his hands. I rushed home, and s/he died in my hands 5 min. later.
All kinds of questions are running through our heads. Did the new chick hurt her? (We could find no external injuries, but she was standing over Chicky when dh found her.) Was she sick? If, so will our new chick die too?
We completely cleaned out the crate and replaced the bedding, food and water. Our new chick (Jessie) has been chirping hysterically, racing around, and jumping at the sides of the crate. I have typed most of this post one-handed, as the only way to calm her down is to hold her. I don't know if something is wrong with her too, or if she is missing her friend.
I am afraid to get a new chick to keep Jessie company - what if she caught something from Chicky and gets sick and passes it on?
We are all so sad.
My sweet dh is taking it the hardest.
Here's his favorite picture of Chicky: