Non-stop distress call

[TLynnP]

Little Miss was the third chick that has died on me in 17 days. I coddled her so it was harder on me than the first two. I started to get worried that she wasn't gaining weight so this morning I cooked up an egg and fed that to all of them. She wouldn't eat the egg but took a bite of food and drank some water. I decided to head to TSC to get some electrolytes and probiotics to add to their water in hopes that would perk her back up. By the time I got home she was on her last breathe. She literally died in my hands while I was trying to get her to drink.

At first I thought her crying was because she had become imprinted on me. She would stop crying when I held her and she had been eating and drinking so I wasn't too worried even though she was smaller than the others. I even put a stuff animal in with them to be a substitute mommy - they other birds LOVE it and snuggle with it at night. Little Miss really got loud with her cries yesterday and early this morning. I should have listened to my gut and done something sooner. I now realize she was starving/sick. Nothing worse than watching an animal starve to death. Anyway, it's my first experience with chickens. I'm learning.

 

[mountain mom]

Little Miss was the third chick that has died on me in 17 days. I coddled her so it was harder on me than the first two. I started to get worried that she wasn't gaining weight so this morning I cooked up an egg and fed that to all of them. She wouldn't eat the egg but took a bite of food and drank some water. I decided to head to TSC to get some electrolytes and probiotics to add to their water in hopes that would perk her back up. By the time I got home she was on her last breathe. She literally died in my hands while I was trying to get her to drink.

At first I thought her crying was because she had become imprinted on me. She would stop crying when I held her and she had been eating and drinking so I wasn't too worried even though she was smaller than the others. I even put a stuff animal in with them to be a substitute mommy - they other birds LOVE it and snuggle with it at night. Little Miss really got loud with her cries yesterday and early this morning. I should have listened to my gut and done something sooner. I now realize she was starving/sick. Nothing worse than watching an animal starve to death. Anyway, it's my first experience with chickens. I'm learning.

It is so hard! We had a Salmon Faverolles who had goopy eyes. They would paste shut and we had to clean them constantly so she could see. She was eating and drinking also, so I was not worried. Around the 2 week mark she died. Since she needed so much care I was really attached to her. Well, who am I kidding, I am attached to all of my girls, but Clementine especially.
We are also first timers, and honestly I didn't expect to have any deaths. We've had two.

A couple of things I have found that seem to be keeping all the rest of the gals healthy and happy are oregano and plain yogurt. They LOVE them both. The oregano helps them fight infections and the yogurt is good for their digestive tracts.

Good luck with the rest of your babies!!

 

[TLynnP]

Thank you New Egg. We started with 7 and I expected to lose maybe 1 or 2 but not 3. I am going to start giving them cooked egg for extra protein and have added supplements to their water.

 

[dashonna82]

TlyynP Sorry for your loss. I know how it feels. Praying your 4 babies make it.