I just lost my first chicken

[Dwells]

So today was the third straight day of triple digit temperatures. I check on my chickens frequently when its hot like this. Today my wife and kids went out to check on the chickens and found the oldest and one with the most colorful history with us was dead. She was an americuana. I had rough luck starting my flock and got a rooster for every hen. After giving away the roosters and assured I had all hens I got one more. I took the chicken to the feed store and they said I could take a chicken that was just dropped off earlier that day. I had a choice of three but could only have one more. I picked the americuana. When I got her home I noticed she had been severely bullied by something, other chickens, dogs or whatever. She had deep puncture wounds on her back and missing a bunch of feathers. I was able to get her back to good health to the point she started laying eggs. Real nice light blue and huge. I tried to get her introduced to my original flock but she or the other hens just weren't having it. About two months about I got two speckled sussex chicks and was able to introduce them to the old gal.
I could tell she was old and worried about the heat. I have only been raising chickens now for a little over a year and have had a bit of trouble as anyone would have. I take the amerucucana as a success due to the fact that I was able to get her healthy, she started producing and was happy with the new company and the amount of treats she got from my kids and wife. Lettuce, watermelon, corn on the cob seemed to be her favorites. My kids are a bit sad and the wife is too even though she won't admit it. We are going to miss having her.

 

[blondi61189]

:/ aww sorry to hear about your loss... Sometimes it really does feel like the favorites are the first to go :/ I freeze some mealworms in ice cubes for my girls they love it and it helps keep them cool good luck!

 

[whittychick]

Awww so sorry for your loss..I've lost 2 this year and it's so heart breaking!

 

[Dwells]

Sorry for your loss too. The kids and wife seem to being taking okay. One of my sons is pretty upset but it is a good life lesson she provided. Everyone helped nurse to back to health and saw the results when she started laying. We got about three dozen light blue eggs from her. The first one is always the toughest. I just see it as a success. She got some more time to be a chicken.

 

[Dwells]

I am going to try that, thank you for the tip...