I lost one....my first loss....encouraging words please

[nlove_3000]

I picked up 4 little silkies from the feed store today - just delivered this morning. I wanted a variety so I got a white, buff, black, and multi-colored. The multi was my favorite. "He" was 2/3 the size of the others, but was the only one with some wing feathers. He wasn't very lively so I knew I shouldn't pick him - but I couldn't help it. He slept more than the others this afternoon but every hour or so I would rouse him for a drink and he was peeping like the others, just not as frequently. His vent was fine and the temp was perfect. When he finally took his first drink alone I happened to be watching. He stuck his bill in and then lifted it up and started bubbling...and silently stretching and gasping. So I grabbed him up and patted his back. He took breathe and then I razzled him a little til he was peeping. I put him back in the tub and he ran to the side and went to sleep. An hour later I went to go get him and he was on his back...gone.

I'm so mad I picked him, so mad he was my favorite, and yet so glad that he didn't spend his last hours at the feed store. I know some just don't make it but is the mortality rate higher with silkies? bantams in general?

I have 14 other chicks older than this group, but the youngest I brought them home was 3 days (most were 1 and 3 wks). I thought I was doing so good not having lost any but maybe I just missed the stage of highest likelihood to die by getting them older prior to these.

Please give me some encouragement. I'm going back to the store tomorrow but I don't want to be afraid.

 

[suzettex5]

Awwww, I'm sorry for your loss

I think we have all had those kinds of things happen to us. I just lost one myself tonight- same thing happened to me, gasping and just not thriving. S/he passed in my hands. It was very sad for us all. I'm not sure if certain breeds have higher mortality rates, but my silkies and frizzles have had a tougher time staying alive compared to my other breeds. I know silkies have no skull covering over the top part of their heads, so maybe brain trauma makes them a bit more delicate? Losing one does make the others that much more precious, I know I tend to keep a closer eye on the others and really enjoy each one a little bit more whenever i lose one. Hopefully you will find a new sweetie at the store who will help you feel a bit better

And I feel the same way as you, at least the little guy had a good, warm,, loving home with people who showed him/her compassion and empathy before it went back to God. I wish you good luck and much happiness from your little fuzzy butts and I truely hope you have no more losses

 

[SilverPhoenix]

I'm sorry for your loss!

Try not to feel responsible, as it's likely that baby was just weak and sick, and it was only a matter of time. When we take the little weak/sick ones, oftentimes these sorts of things do happen, as sad as they are. It's good you tried to give the chick a loving home--you gave it the best chance it could get of surviving, and it just wasn't up to it. It's not unusual for some of the chicks to simply not thrive, and I've found from years of raising chicks that in the first week or so about 10% of them often pass away no matter what you do. Sometimes they just don't form right or aren't strong enough.

I hope you're not too discouraged by this. I know it's really sad to lose these adorable little fuzzy butts, but it is a part of the chicken-keeping hobby. No matter what we do there will always be some unexpected losses, even if we do our absolute best to prevent them. We can be sad over them, certainly (I admit I sobbed my eyes out over losing a cockerel and two pullets I dearly loved a few weeks ago), but ultimately we've just got to do our best and treat each chicken with care and compassion.

Best of luck and wishes to you--I hope your others stay healthy and thrive! Remember not to blame yourself when these things happen.

 

[Kittymomma]

It happens, and it happens more when you try to save the weak ones. It seems like it's always are favorites that we lose and often it really is. I think that's mostly because they become our favorites when we spend the extra time with them trying to nurse them thru, we get to know them better and bond with them stronger. The silver lining to that black cloud is that sometimes we do save them and when that happens it's incredibly gratifying and wonderful. Even at it's worst we always know that their last hours or days were filled with love and kindness and there is comfort in that.

 

[Sequin]

I am soo sorry you are going through this!!

It is never any fun loosing a chick of any age. I lost one this year too, also my first. I ended up going out and buying two more(because minus one plus two equals one, right?). You did everything you could, and sometimes there is nothing more that we can do. Some things are really out of our control. But I am sure the little chick was made as comfortable as possible in his new surroundings and knew he was loved.

 

[nlove_3000]

Thank you guys so much! I really did need to hear these words. You are all so wonderful

 

[cuckoo_orpington13]

I've had a duckling that died in my hand.

I'm very sorry.
Poor thing, thank you for taking care of him.

 

[Partyfowl]

I am so sorry!! I also lost a baby yesterday. I dont know why? But like SilverPhoenix said sometimes it just happens. It is good to know that we all love our chicky and make the best for them. I told my son, that the baby needed to join Jesus on Good Friday.

 

[fours2many]

*Hugs* I know I needed a hug when I had a chick die. I was so distraught. Then a few days later another died. I just couldn't find a reason. They were both alive and well, then dead. The rest are fine and doing great. I think it just happens. Something that didn't develop right inside them. Something we just can't see from the outside. Poor things. They are so fragile. Oh...another *hug* for you.

 

[chickensioux]

So sorry for your loss. It hurts.