My Heart is Broken

[BarredRockMom]

It's never easy to lose one, never. Nothing helps but the passage of time & watching chicken tv. I hope my post helped, even if only a little.

 

[Duckworth]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Lisa, despite the couple of years I spent reading about chickens, I've made some missteps as a new chicken person and feel just as you do.

I lost a darling hen a few months ago and feel it was my fault.

Three hens are molting and they're not quite eight months old. They need more light in their chicken coop, and I just haven't made the time to create more windows. Could this have triggered an early molt?

When they molt they don't lay eggs. In fact no one is presently laying eggs. I've read this isn't uncommon for hens their age as they head into winter. But it's a bit alarming.

And my rooster Henry was attacked by a coyote and dragged into the woods. I found him and he's recovering nicely. But as vigilant as I am, I wasn't outside when this happened. The guilt has been terrible.

I'm delayed in getting projects done, three chickens look like alien versions of themselves, my rooster almost died. And the hen that did die may have developed a respiratory infection in response to the freshly stained exterior siding on their coop. Non-toxic Hemp Shield; it's an awesome product. But I should have stained it early in the day to let it cure some and then closed the big window at night.

She was the smallest hen and quite vocal. Someone suggested she was prone to problems, but I feel I should have been more aware of possible consequences when I sealed them in the coop that night.

Someone started a discussion on people's experiences with molting. She added a questionnaire. If you'd like a giggle or two, read my contribution. I adore my little flock, but it's been a challenging experience. It would help if we at least had some eggs again.

 

[theoldchick]

Furred or feathered, it's not easy losing any of them. Sorry for your loss.