New Brahma Group: Blue Partridge x Partridge, Plus Dark

[speckledhen]

Mary, it seems she has given up. I think there is some reproductive thing happening in there. Usually, a crop issue with any bird is only a symptom, as we know, and hers was gassy for awhile, though that has dissipated. She just looks at food. Tom has shoved eggs laced with PolyViSol into her beak on many occasions, trying to keep her going until her interest in live returns, but it doesn't seem like it's going to, bless her heart. She still manages to walk around and exhibit minor interest in what is on the ground when she's with the others outside, but we both know that they can literally walk until they fall over dead. These birds are so strong and stoic until they are just too ill to be upright.

 

[1muttsfan]

It can be so incredibly frustrating to know that you are doing everything you can and it still is not enough.

 

[speckledhen]

It can be so incredibly frustrating to know that you are doing everything you can and it still is not enough.

Yes it really is. We do all we can until there is no hope at all. This time, it's all been on Tom to do it and he's really been trying to get her back to health. Today, I actually walked to the barn and into the barn to visit all my birds for the first time (no walker!) in three months. Went into the pens, held my birds that I haven't seen in ages, especially old Atlas. I saw Bailey sitting with scrambled eggs in front of her, a cup of black soldier fly larvae mixed in with layer pellets and she wanted none of it. I ran my hand down her back and she barely opened her eyes so she may not be around much longer but she's warm and not hassled by anyone. She did get out and walked around with her group in the sunshine today, but when they ran back inside, she just stood in the sun with her eyes closed so Tom put her back in the hospital cage for the night.

 

[1muttsfan]

At least she has the companionship of her family and friends and a warm, comfortable place to rest.

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, she's as comfortable as a hen can be at the moment. Gonna miss my baby Bailey, but we've done all we can other than hope she turns around. I've never seen a hen down this far who has, not after a three week battle like she's had.

 

[speckledhen]

Bailey is gone. She was almost gone last night, weak but peacefully resting under her gentle heat lamp. This morning, I heard the most odd rhythmic sound like a pulse on the electric lines over the baby monitor out in the barn...sort of "ah-uh, ah-uh, ah-uh".....no pause, no change in rhythm. I said what the heck is that? The more I listened, the more I was convinced that someone in the barn was dying, but wasn't thinking it was Bailey. Tom hurried out there (we have snow so I didn't dare try with my leg) and he said to me over the monitor, "it's our little girl in the cage, she's sort of gasping." I had never heard that sound from any of our dying birds, popped my head out the back door and yelled to the barn, "PLEASE, don't let her continue this way, help her out!" So he did. I was in tears listening to my beautiful Bailey making that godawful sound. I thought maybe it was June or one of the older ones, to be honest, once I realized it wasn't electronic. When one of my birds is ailing or on their way out of this world to that Great Roost in the Sky, I don't give a rat's ass what is happening in the world. They *are* my world and God help anyone who tries to come between them and me. She was going on six years old, not young, but not nearly as old as most of my birds are when they pass. RIP, sweet girl.

 

[1muttsfan]

Good old Tom, I'm sure it was difficult for him. That is called agonal breathing not because it is an agony but because it signifies the end, the brain stem continues to try to oxygenate you right up till the last possible minute.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Bailey is gone. She was almost gone last night, weak but peacefully resting under her gentle heat lamp. This morning, I heard the most odd rhythmic sound like a pulse on the electric lines over the baby monitor out in the barn...sort of "ah-uh, ah-uh, ah-uh".....no pause, no change in rhythm. I said what the heck is that? The more I listened, the more I was convinced that someone in the barn was dying, but wasn't thinking it was Bailey. Tom hurried out there (we have snow so I didn't dare try with my leg) and he said to me over the monitor, "it's our little girl in the cage, she's sort of gasping." I had never heard that sound from any of our dying birds, popped my head out the back door and yelled to the barn, "PLEASE, don't let her continue this way, help her out!" So he did. I was in tears listening to my beautiful Bailey making that godawful sound. I thought maybe it was June or one of the older ones, to be honest, once I realized it wasn't electronic. When one of my birds is ailing or on their way out of this world to that Great Roost in the Sky, I don't give a rat's ass what is happening in the world. They *are* my world and God help anyone who tries to come between them and me. She was going on six years old, not young, but not nearly as old as most of my birds are when they pass. RIP, sweet girl.View attachment 2963367

 

[speckledhen]

Good old Tom, I'm sure it was difficult for him. That is called agonal breathing not because it is an agony but because it signifies the end, the brain stem continues to try to oxygenate you right up till the last possible minute.

I know it was just that, but it sounded so awful, Mary. I appreciate you always telling me these things. They really do help me. The worst thing for me is thinking any of mine are suffering. None really seem to, though, and none of my birds have ever done that. The closest to it was when Suede died in my arms and he cried out as he died and Isaac, who was observing from his pen, cried out in reaction. Usually, they just quit breathing and most don't even flap much, if any. This was just so different. If I was out there, I would have done it myself, but I didn't dare try to go in the slippery weather. Tom hates doing it, he'd do anything not to, and truthfully, so would I, but in this case, I would not have hesitated. He had been propping her up for almost a month and the last three days, he left her alone except to clean out her cage and pet her, letting her go with her peeps when she seemed to want to do so, hoping against hope that she'd eat something on her own, but of course, she didn't. She did drink water so she wasn't dehydrated, at least, bless her heart.

Thanks. Never a good day when I lose one, no matter the reason.

 

[1muttsfan]

She must have been incredibly tough to have survived all this time sick as she was. Goodbye, sweet Bailey