Let there be light!!!

[JerzChicken]

After months of preparation & patience with respect to our coop the rollercoaster of emotions has stopped briefly at its highest point! I have been hoping for the wellness of two of our chickens struggling with respiratory illness, one that has survived and one I'm sorry to say has died.

but as recovered the lifeless body of "Bullwinkle" this morning, I felt somewhat a ray of light flash into the corner of my eye from nesting box #1? As I opened the door revealing the prize of these struggles I could not help but wonder...why today? My oldest hen has produced!!! Did she sense illness? Was it just her time? Was it a Father's Day gift? I guess we'll never know. Goodbye "Bullwinkle" without struggle there is no progress. But thank you "Rabbit"! Our First Egg had arrived!!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

While raising chickens is not rocket science, there are a few things they must have. Big ventilation 24/7, clean fresh water all day, well balanced diet, predator protection. In that diet the timing of additional calcium needs to be timed with onset of lay and cut back when laying ceases during molt.
When an unexplained loss occurs, a necropsy is a good idea. When multiple deaths from the same symptoms occur, it's imperative.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I'm sorry for the loss of Bullwinkle. I hope the rest of your flock does well. The egg from Rabbit is a promise of the future...