Hi all, I had posted recently about my Pekin Delphine being unwell. Unfortunately she didn’t respond to treatment and was going downhill, so I made the decision to have her put to sleep. An autopsy was done by the vet to check for Marek’s - it was inconclusive with no obvious tumours found, but she was presenting in all the classic ways. The other hens are all happy and healthy.
Delphine had been removed from the flock of 3 other Pekins 4 weeks ago when she first became unwell. Since then, the remaining 3 girls have been incredibly spooky and shy.
Delphine was my boss hen - the first to investigate, always curious, pushy & outgoing. Her & Marigold were usually my ‘brave’ hens, and Florence & Violet are the shy hens. Since losing Delphine, Marigold has seemingly decided that it’s better to be shy with the others rather than to be brave on her own. I used to have the two of them up on my knee looking for treats and to be stroked, and they’d all follow me about for food, but now they all run away from me instead and it’s so sad!
They reluctantly come out of the coop into the secure run to be fed, but then they all go back into the coop again. They don’t seem to spend much time outside, and when I open the main door they won’t free range outside of the run with me like they used to.
Do you think it’s just a case of being patient and hoping that they adjust? Or am I destined to not have friendly, cuddly hens anymore?
Delphine had been removed from the flock of 3 other Pekins 4 weeks ago when she first became unwell. Since then, the remaining 3 girls have been incredibly spooky and shy.
Delphine was my boss hen - the first to investigate, always curious, pushy & outgoing. Her & Marigold were usually my ‘brave’ hens, and Florence & Violet are the shy hens. Since losing Delphine, Marigold has seemingly decided that it’s better to be shy with the others rather than to be brave on her own. I used to have the two of them up on my knee looking for treats and to be stroked, and they’d all follow me about for food, but now they all run away from me instead and it’s so sad!
They reluctantly come out of the coop into the secure run to be fed, but then they all go back into the coop again. They don’t seem to spend much time outside, and when I open the main door they won’t free range outside of the run with me like they used to.
Do you think it’s just a case of being patient and hoping that they adjust? Or am I destined to not have friendly, cuddly hens anymore?
