- Jul 14, 2009
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My favorite little pullet Frisbee died yesterday, Sunday.
She was an EE right at 11 months old. She had been laying eggs very regularly and I'd noticed no change in her up until I found her dead in the run. In hindsite, she did seem to be "dust/damp sand" bathing more than usual Saturday afternoon and it was hot. Otherwise she seemed to be a healthy, happy and friendly little girl.
I'm thinking it might have been one of two possibilities and want your experienced opinions so I might prevent any possible future deaths.
1st off: 2 weeks ago my DH sprayed a fence row with Roundup. The chickens are only out for about 1 1/2 hour each night, but they do eat along that area but I didn't notice whether she was over there any or not. Actually I was out of town the day and day after that he sprayed , and no I wasn't happy at all when I found out he had!! But he just didn't think about it possibly being a problem.
2nd. Yesterday was VERY hot....highs upper 90's and the chickens were all panting continuously. They have shade and also damp sand to dig in. I've been leaving all windows and the pop door open at night so they should have plenty of ventilation if there is any breeze at all. I didn't have any fans before her death (since corrected with one big box fax blowing through the run and one small fan blowing on the roosts) She came down the ramp as usual about 5:30 am and around 8:30 or 9:00 I noticed her laying dead in the run.
My questions: Do you think the Roundup could have killed her and would it have taken that long? OR do you think it was more likely the heat? OR do you think it could have been something totally different?
She was such a cute little pullet and I hate that my inexperience might have caused her death but I definitely want to learn from the experience!
Any ideas???

I'm thinking it might have been one of two possibilities and want your experienced opinions so I might prevent any possible future deaths.
1st off: 2 weeks ago my DH sprayed a fence row with Roundup. The chickens are only out for about 1 1/2 hour each night, but they do eat along that area but I didn't notice whether she was over there any or not. Actually I was out of town the day and day after that he sprayed , and no I wasn't happy at all when I found out he had!! But he just didn't think about it possibly being a problem.
2nd. Yesterday was VERY hot....highs upper 90's and the chickens were all panting continuously. They have shade and also damp sand to dig in. I've been leaving all windows and the pop door open at night so they should have plenty of ventilation if there is any breeze at all. I didn't have any fans before her death (since corrected with one big box fax blowing through the run and one small fan blowing on the roosts) She came down the ramp as usual about 5:30 am and around 8:30 or 9:00 I noticed her laying dead in the run.
My questions: Do you think the Roundup could have killed her and would it have taken that long? OR do you think it was more likely the heat? OR do you think it could have been something totally different?
She was such a cute little pullet and I hate that my inexperience might have caused her death but I definitely want to learn from the experience!
Any ideas???