I'll Miss You, Bonnie (And Some Related Questions)

[Sunshine009]

Not confident that this belongs in this forum...

Last night, we had to humanely euthanize one of my chickens (Isa Browns), Bonnie. She looked extremely ill and uncomfortable. Initially I had booked her a vet appointment, but the earliest I could get was Sunday (it was Friday) and I wasn't even sure she would last the night. She was poofed and stayed poofed, her comb and wattle was turning yellowish gray, she couldn't make it to the top rung of the roosts to be with her sisters and could barely keep herself balanced on the perch she made it to. She's never been one for human contact, but she wouldn't even react when I went to touch her, just kept her head tucked under her wing. She also had yolk-coloured diarrhea and stopped laying a week or so earlier. I'm guessing from what I've read that she had internal laying/peritonitis. This brings me to my first question:
Based on her symptoms, does this diagnosis sound accurate? I couldn't find any bloating in her crop or stomach area, which makes me think I may be wrong. The other girls haven't shown any sign of illness yet.

I've only been raising chickens for a little under a year now and my poor girl was only a little over a year old (I got her around 6 months). I have to say that this whole ordeal has made me feel like a bit of a failure as a chicken mom. I did as much research as I could, prepared the best environment possible, kept them clean, nutritious food, clean water... I've been proud up until now that they've survived this wicked winter we had. But suddenly I feel like I'm not doing enough. So my second question is: Have any of you had similar experiences? Should I continue with this, or pass on my remaining ladies to someone more experienced while I go back to studying?

But now I'm left with another dilemma. I only had three ladies to begin with, and now I'm down to two. I know just three wasn't the best social environment for them to begin with (to be fair, my city only allows a max of 5), but now I'm really concerned that those two (Pollo (Poi-yo) and Helena) will be excessively stressed from only having each-others' company. So my final question is, will those two be okay with only each other? Should I take on the task of introducing a new member to the flock? Or should I pass them on to someone with a bigger flock and more experience?

Thanks so much for all your time and attention. All the best to my little lady in the coop in the sky.

 

[sourland]

Sorry for your loss. I'm willing to bet that her death had to do with her genetic make up not your husbandry methods. The two remaining birds will serve as a 'flock' for one another. That's why it is desirable to get at least three birds. In the spring you might consider raising three more pullets to add to your flock. Study the 'flock integration' threads. Good luck.

 

[bobbi-j]

Sorry for your loss. It sound like you are doing a great job taking care of your birds. But no matter how hard we try, sometimes things happen that are beyond our control. You did everything you could for her, and in the end, you gave her the kind gift of a swift, humane death and ended her suffering.

 

[Hamiam]

Welcome to BYC. Of course this is the right place for you to post about your Bonnie. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Please don't give up on your chickens. It is clear to me that your a wonderful chicken mom.
Unfortunately, Isa Browns are not known to live very long. It wasn't until after I got Red Sexlinks that I read about the health problems associated with the hybrid breeds.
Please post a picture of Bonnie here. I'd love to see her in happy times.

 

[N F C]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss, that's always hard no matter how it happens. It sounds to me like you did everything you could but things happen beyond our control sometimes. From my experience and from what I've read sex links are prone to egg laying issues.

I double the suggestion from @sourland that you get 3 more chicks in the spring (perhaps try other breeds) and continue. It sounds to me like you've enjoyed raising the birds you have and it would be a shame to quit doing something that brings you enjoyment.

 

[Sunshine009]

Thanks for all of your kind words! Hamiam, these are pictures of her from last summer. She was always the shy one of the bunch. (shes in the foreground of the second picture)

If you're curious, yes their beaks are all trimmed and I'm a bit ashamed of it, but unfortunately there were absolutely no hatcheries anywhere near where I lived that don't practice it. Believed me, I tried!

 

[N F C]

Bonnie was a beauty @Sunshine009

 

[Sunshine009]

@N F C , thanks so much, that means a lot!

 

[Hamiam]

Thanks for all of your kind words! Hamiam, these are pictures of her from last summer. She was always the shy one of the bunch. (shes in the foreground of the second picture)

If you're curious, yes their beaks are all trimmed and I'm a bit ashamed of it, but unfortunately there were absolutely no hatcheries anywhere near where I lived that don't practice it. Believed me, I tried!

Thank you for sharing! She was so pretty!
You are among friends here @Sunshine009. Welcome to our flock!

 

[LJoWilly]

So sorry for your loss.