Loss of a Bantam chicken

[lu bantam chickens]

Hello all
I went and got 5 Bantam chicks in October first time I have had them - went and found some took a while to pick out as they were so cute - picked them out at 4 weeks old then picked them up at 6 weeks old as had an arm operation inbetween - got them a bit soon after my opp as I was still recovering just wanted them - did not want to wait, had them in one cage for a few weeks then moved them to a bigger cage which was in my polytunnel in the garden they had a seesaw and a perch in the cage - When I went in to see them they like to flap and fly and I liked to give them rubs and cuddles

Recently lost one of my girls to Heaven (called Baby Blue) feel like it is all my fault as she had a big cut on her chest I did not notice it soon enough - took her to the vets but it was too deep and that bacteria had got in and that was it - all I wanted was for them to stitch her up - so upsetting - She was only 22 weeks old and had just starting laying eggs

I did notice one day few red bits of sawdust - so checked all their feet but did not find anything. Was worried about them all - then after a bit did see that one of the chicks was not running around as much so picked her up and saw blood on her chest

The only thing I can think of is that I cuddled one of the chicks but it flapped out of my arms and one of them hit the corner of my potting table (made out of pallets) I thought ouch at the time - but should of checked her and Baby Blue was shouting a bit but thought thats because she had starting egg laying - whish I covered the potting table up, and did not cuddle her then - maybe she would not be hurt and still be here

The chicks would be in that cage until I had the coop and run ready at the allotment which took longer than expected because of all the wet weather and have only moved not long ago

So hard losing a chicken to Heaven

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Sad. I remember when I almost lost my bantam rooster, Chester, when he was that age. Him and his brother got into a bad fight. If I had checked on them a minute later, I would of probably lost him. I had five bantams at the time, too. That was five years ago. Then I almost lost him again in another fight a week ago or so. He got in a fight with his son Lester (A.K.A. Chester Jr.). He's ok now. Do you have a rooster in your flock? After Chester had gotten in that fight with his brother, I rehomed his brother. The next hatching season my hens went broody and hatched out one chick and it was a pullet. That pullet replaced the now rehomed rooster so once again I had five bantams again. Last year that pullet hatched out another pullet, Lolly, and two cockerels, Lester and Lindbergh. Perhaps if you have a rooster you can hatch out another hen to take her spot.
I think losing birds is part of farming. I've lost a lot of birds. Some of them was my favorites. Once I got a flock that turned out to be diseased. Next thing I knew was that I had birds dying all the time. Thankfully none of my birds have that now. I've even had to cull a couple. That's hard!
I'm sorry to hear about your poor bantam. My bantams are getting old and my Loucille is really showing it. I hope your other banties turn out ok.
Welcome to raising Bantams! I hope you don't have to go through that again. With my raising of the bantams, they have always appeared to be very healthy and they have even giving me a ton of Great stories! They can even be just plain funny at times. Don't be discouraged! Bantams are great birds all around! Even the mean ones. Those can never hurt you like a standard. They have great memory and are easy to train. Some can fit in your pockets and you can take them anywhere. Most are great flyers. And they are brave. I hope you have am excellent time with your remaining ones! Perhaps you'll get some great stories out of yours like I have with mine! Hey! And maybe you'll be able to accomplish something that I haven't yet. Train them to walk on a leash like a dog!

 

[lu bantam chickens]

She was one of my favorite ones the smallest little cutie, She did look healthy still eating and drinking and moving about but must of been hurting under her feather from cut

They do give good stories and memories, they all moved this week into their bigger home,
After she had gone - then I noticed blood on the head of the biggest one pecking had gone on, I guess the pecking order had changed all been sprayed and have stopped that now

No rooster in my flock as only allowed girls at an allotment site - got them from someone who breeds them, Is nice to have a flock - not sure I am a good farmer get too attached to them
Nice that you got new little bantam extra cute when smaller, Not sure if I could walk them like a do on a lead

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

I’m so sorry! You should train them to sit on your shoulder like a parrot.

 

[lu bantam chickens]

Baby blue was my little parrot every time I opened the cage front up she liked to land on me or I would turn around to get something and she was on my back and liked to be on my shoulder

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Baby Blue sounds similar to my Lolly. I think you're still a good farmer if you get attached to your birds. My birds become my pets, kids, and friends. That's why I name them. Sometimes they actually help me to understand people better. I notice the personalities of my birds and compare them to people's personalities. Sometimes I even compare them to life's situations. So there is nothing wrong with getting too attached to them.

 

[lu bantam chickens]

Baby Blue sounds similar to my Lolly. I think you're still a good farmer if you get attached to your birds. My birds become my pets, kids, and friends. That's why I name them. Sometimes they actually help me to understand people better. I notice the personalities of my birds and compare them to people's personalities. Sometimes I even compare them to life's situations. So there is nothing wrong with getting too attached to them.

Thanks, sometimes I find more easy to talk to the chickens than people, only problem getting too attached is it is heart breaking when losing them - still finding it really difficult