Maine

[IZZYBELLA]

I'm pretty sure UMaine has a lab where you can pay to have a necropsy done for something like $30. Might be worth looking into. I've also noticed most of the time the person doesn't feel like they got $30 worth of information out of the deal when it boils down to something like malnutrition or some type of infection/disease. I'm sure you take great care of your birds, but as people have mentioned--sometimes animals don't thrive and there's nothing you can do for them. It's not a reflection on you or your care for your flock either way, that's what I would try to keep in mind.

Thanks, Jazor.

How do you guys dispose of the dead bodies when there is 2 feet of snow on a frozen ground? I like the idea of taking it way out in the woods and leaving it for animals to eat... give back to nature... but I don't want to attract any critters closer than they already are!

 

[lazy gardener]

I'd do it myself. I'd not bother to pay for an autopsy unless you have more than one bird die from the same symptoms. Birds just die sometimes, but opening them up can be a good education, even if you don't know exactly what you're looking for. You'd want to check the liver and heart for sure, check the intestines and trachea for signs of worms, Check to see if she might have been egg bound, though I don't know how you'd differentiate between egg bound and an egg that just happens to be passing through.

 

[lazy gardener]

Perhaps take the body away to a secluded spot in your car, so it's not in your neighborhood. Sounds like CSI material.

 

[lazy gardener]

Jazor, this one is for you! There's an interesting thread on the Chicken behaviors and egg laying section dealing with forcing a hen into broodiness. Interesting read. So, I'm wondering if the hen truly became broody b/c of the way she was set up, or if she may have been heading that way anyways. Comments??

 

[MEMama3]

This is probably a long shot, but I'm looking to get two outdoor ready pullets or under two year old hens for less than $10 each and within an 45 minutes of Fryeburg. These are specific breeds I'm looking for:

Light brahama, marans, faverolle, wyandotte and welsummer.

If any of you have any or know someone who does, I'd love to hear from you.

 

[CoopChick719]

LG, Glad to hear your girl is okay!

Ash, They are adorable!!! Can't wait for mine in April!!

Izzy, I'm so sorry to hear about your girl.

You can keep her in the fridge or freezer if you are up for doing your own necropsy. Here is a link I got from delisha over on the Natural Chicken Keeping thread when I was having trouble with my birds last year. http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/veterinarians/avian-necropsy-examination/intro-practical I did necropsy 1 of my girls. She was fine in the morning but I found her dead under the nesting boxes when I went to close the coop up that night. The shavings under her were still warm so it had to have only been a little while. I had no idea what I was doing but it was interesting. I posted pics on the NCK thread to see if anyone could help me interpret what I was seeing. I covered her face with a towel, took a few deep breaths and then started. My last 3 birds I brought to UMO for necropsy. 1 of them had been in the freezer for at least a month. It was $25 for all 3 plus a small disposal fee. I had just the necropsy done no additional tests.

 

[lazy gardener]

Any body out there know where I can get some local silver laced or penciled Wyandotte hatching eggs?

 

[ashandvine]

Bird losses can randomly happen. I like the advice given about worrying when you see symptoms again or lose another one inexplicably. No one wants to wait around for that BUT it might the only way to save yourself some madness in the mean while. This winter has been very hard on all creatures.

Someone will laugh at this with me. I had to find a chick-sitter. No joke. These seven came just before my son's 13 birthday and dh works long late hours. I didn't trust 'nanna' dog here to give them the right kind of attention so I asked my neighbor. I was pretty sure with some hot potatoes in a styrfoam container they would have survived the four hour drive but I wasn't relishing the stress for them or me. So I asked my neighbor who got into chickens last year. She is so excited to do it. I am relieved someone so excited is going to be doing it.

 

[lazy gardener]

That's great. It's nice to have someone near by.

 

[IZZYBELLA]

Bird losses can randomly happen. I like the advice given about worrying when you see symptoms again or lose another one inexplicably. No one wants to wait around for that BUT it might the only way to save yourself some madness in the mean while. This winter has been very hard on all creatures.

Someone will laugh at this with me. I had to find a chick-sitter. No joke. These seven came just before my son's 13 birthday and dh works long late hours. I didn't trust 'nanna' dog here to give them the right kind of attention so I asked my neighbor. I was pretty sure with some hot potatoes in a styrfoam container they would have survived the four hour drive but I wasn't relishing the stress for them or me. So I asked my neighbor who got into chickens last year. She is so excited to do it. I am relieved someone so excited is going to be doing it.

Too bad we're not closer... I work from home and would totally chick sit!

I am still searching for someone nearby who I can really trust with my girls when I go away. I had hopes when I found out a neighbor also keeps chickens, but then he told me that he keeps his coop door open in hopes that a fox will take the chickens. I think my jaw dropped to the floor...