Lost my first chicken today..RIP Sugar

[NicChicks2013]

She was just laying in the pen. It was so sad, showed no sign of illness. I wanted to cry, silly maybe, had to handle calmly for my little tot. I wish I knew why she passed. I do not think the husband will go for autopsy on a chicken and hope the other three hens will be ok..just broke my heart, I will miss my Sugar

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. Having just a few chickens, you are really going to miss one. She may have died of a heart ailment or another organ problem. A lot of chickens pass away suddenly under a year old for some reason, although I'm not sure of Sugar's age.

 

[Peplers chicks]

That is why you must not get inlove with your chickens, sorry girl, get some more in her place, the more you have the less pain when one dies

 

[NicChicks2013]

Thank you Eggcessive, she was only about 5-6 months. Was kind of awkward explaining to a four year old..he really wanted to get deep about the subject. When I first got the chickens my father who grew up on a horse/chicken farm gave his advice "Don't name them" I guess I will find a nice medium to dealing with flock issues. We will be adding to the flock next spring, will have to get another Cochin, maybe a roo and name him SugaRoo in memory..My dad would roll his eye..Gonna a little worried for the others for some time..if was heart issue then they should be good I guess.

 

[casportpony]

Sorry for your loss, I know how hard it is. Maybe NJ has a free or low cost necropsy service like CA does, call and ask.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

-Kathy