my little bantam is cooing mournfully

[crazyapple]

My girls came down out of the coop this morning and all but one appeared fine. One of my bantams though won't eat, she's keeping her back to all the other hens, has all feathers puffed out, won't let me pick her up and just sits there cooing rather mournfully.

Any ideas anybody? I'm not super experienced but this is a first for me. Could it be the cold? Our temperature really dropped last night.

Thanks.

 

[Chicken Woman]

Seperate her form the others in a warm dark quiet place. Give her some extra protien like boiled egg, yogurt and maybe some electrolytes.

Good luck !!!!!

 

[WalkingWolf]

Could she be going broody? That is how my game hen acted before I gave her some eggs. But then it wasn't this cold either at the time.

 

[BJ]

Quote:
Very excellent suggestion...I'll bet that's what it is! They really seem to go temporarily insane when they go broody! I had a bantam that was really goofy about it.

 

[tiki244]

I third that on the broodiness. Probably wouldnt hurt to seperate her and see what she does if you can.

 

[crazyapple]

I separated her from the others and made sure it wasn't drafty. Just went back to check on her and she's passed. I'm so sad because I have no idea what happened. I feel like a bad mama.

 

[Chicken Woman]

IM sorry I know you must be so sad.

Be sure you dispose of her by deep bury or burn in case she had something contagious.

You are a good mama. I sometimes think that we forget that your average chicken only lives a couple of years due to ,illness,preditors.etc.

 

[WalkingWolf]

Sorry to hear that apple, with this cold it could be her core temperature just got to low.

 

[Jenski]

Sorry about your bird. How cold did it get in the coop last night?

 

[BJ]

Oh, I'm so sorry for you. What was her name? I was hoping she was just broody. Its hard when you want to help but don't know what to do. We know how much you cared and you did your best.

I saw on another post that Opa wrote about an oldtimer telling him, "You'll kill a few chickens before you figure it out". I totally understand what that's about. Unfortunately, I've lost my share of chickens, but I've learned so much and I've got a great group of girls in my coop right now that are happy, strong, and healthy!