one chicken died

[chickbea]

If you are in the mood to try something fun, this is what I did when I had one survivor left from one group that I didn't want to integrate into another: I let her become a mom!

I let her go broody by replacing the egg she laid each day with a wooden egg. When she was in a good and broody mood, I replaced the wooden eggs with fertilized eggs. 21 days later she hatched out the whole clutch! She didn't mind being by herself while she was sitting on the nest, as hens prefer to be alone then anyway. Once the babies arrived, she had plenty to keep her busy.

 

[smilingdiva]

Thank you all for your kind advice. I shall remember everything when finding the right new friend. We rang the local place where they were purchased & they said we would have to wait 2 months before buying another chicken

They were both happy & healthy. There was no difference in eating, toliet habbits, etc. They have clean water everyday, layer pellets & have warm bedding area. The run is covered in hay/straw, their bed area has the same in it. They have a climbing perch, the odd bit of lettuce etc. We got our advice from our neighbours (where they orginally came from) & in Aug one of theirs passed away. So it's become a mystery. I checked on the chicken that is now left today & although she looks confused she is eating & drinking. It's been bad weather wise over here but i don't think that caused any problems as we cover the run with a plastice sheet during cold months to keep it warm & dry.

Thanks again!

 

[fallenweeble]

i am so sorry for your loss!
you can check the "buy, sell, trade" section here to see if anyone has some chickens close to you. also maybe check craig's list and other local papers.
another option/tool you could use is "petfinder" (a non-profit petfinding site) to see if there are any chickens in shelters close to where you are.
thanks for caring about your remaining chickens feelings and well being!

 

[johnnyjack]

Quote:
now that was cool.

 

[SeaChick]

As far as figuring out why she died, I'd first want to know how old she was. I think that lots of people give away hens when they get older and start slowing down in laying.... and I have heard (this is not pereonal experience though) that older hens will often just die suddenly as you describe.

If that's the case, then you have no worries about disease. Do you know how old she was???

Best wishes
Stacey

 

[smilingdiva]

Hi thanks again for all your kindness. I shall check out petfinder, i hadn't thought of looking for a chicken that needs a home. We have local pet shelters round here so i might check them out.

Also i think she was about 4yrs old. They had both stopped laying which i think happens over winter....our neighbours have experienced the same thing...they begin to lay again in the spring. All i can think of is that at least she died peacefully

Thanks again... i'll keep you all updated.

 

[silkiechicken]

If there were no sings of disease or other problems... chickens do just fall over and die sometimes. It's not really that uncommon. Hope you can find a new friend for your other girl. Don't fret too much when you get a new one though if they start to fight and beat each other up. It will be normal. Also, if you get a new one, it is best to quarentine for 3-4 weeks so you don't bring in diseases or bugs to your other girl.