Lost a chicken today

[jaybanana]

Not the one thats been sick either.

Went to feed the chickens this evening, after being at my parents all day for Christmas, and found my white frizzle dead in the nesting box. I couldn't see any obvious wounds, but her vent area looked red and swollen. There were some eggs under her, but not really huge, so my guess is the pekin drake has killed her. We were planning on killing (and eating) him on the 27th, and he is only 3 or 4 mths old, so I thought he'd be okay in the pen for another few days. I guess not. He is now in a separate makeshift pen while he awaits his punishment tomorrow...

Poor Snowball..... she was my favourite too.

 

[jaybanana]

Thats her in my profile pic

 

[Gargoyle]

Sorry to hear that. I wonder if the swollen vent could be a sign of an internal infection? Any other marks to indicate a possible drake attack?

 

[casportpony]

What happened with your other hen, the egg bound one?

 

[jaybanana]

What happened with your other hen, the egg bound one?

She is still alive. No better, no worse. Still hasn't laid the egg, but I actually think it isn't just that one causing the problems, because the whol area behind her left leg/abdomen, up to her vent, is massively swollen, and very squishy to touch. Because she hasnt gotten worse, I didn't euthanize her. If she starts to have trouble breathing or looking really close to death we will.

 

[RhodeIslandRedFan]

I'm sorry you lost a hen. Losing one of your flock is never easy