Should I kill him? Update: she didn't make it

[chickenfever]

Thank you for your replies, Isn't it so hard to lose some of your hens? It has just made it so much more difficult just now knowing exactly what happened so I could prevent it from happening again.

I do have some good news though, my son and I went out to check on our EE girl in her hospital box a bit ago. She got up and walked a bit, ate bread out of our hands and I saw her take a drink of water. I feel so relieved. At least I know that she has a good chance of making it now.

My only problem now is that the box that she is recovering in is the same box I was going to use as my brooder. My chicks from Ideal were sent yesterday. I need to come up with a new brooder pen now.

 

[FarmerDenise]

I'm sorry you lost your hen. It is so difficult to deal with, when you have one thing go wrong after another.
Have you considered using a laundry basket for your "hospital". It's what I use most of the time. It is a good size for the hen and easy to clean out. I just put a towel or t-shirt on the bottom and put another towel over the top. If my chicken is really feeling bad, I don't even have to cover it, because they don't try to get out.
Good luck with your EE

 

[Marco]

It sounds to me like something is after your chickens. You need to monitor them and find out what it is. My bet is that it is not a raccoon or hawk; these are usually more deadly. I'm thinking a cat, small dog, weasel. If a predator can get to your birds it will not stop until there are no animals left. I'm worried.

 

[chickenfever]

Thanks for the suggestion, maybe I'll try that. I don't think she would try to fly out. She's not even walking much.

 

[chickenfever]

I just wanted to give a quick little update. My EE hen survived and is doing great. Yesterday she laid an egg again, the first in almost a week. I took that as a very good sign. I let her out w/the girls for a couple hours last night and she did OK and mingled a little, but didn't really want to leave the garage(where she has been staying in a big box). It's probably the heat lamp, she knows a good thing when she's got it.

We did end up putting the BA roo in the freezer. Partly because of what happened, and mostly because since the incident he has become increasingly aggressive toward my 4yo son. The other day My son when w/me out to the coop and the rooster was out. It was all I could do to keep the Mighty (the roo) from getting around me and attacking him. I finally told my son "RUN" and he took off for the house while I sparred w/Mighty. That was the last straw. I don't want my kids to be afraid of leaving the house.

Now several of my chickens are losing feathers. Maybe their all doing a little picking. I ordered some pine tar and blue kote, hoping something will work to get it under control.

It's been a crazy chicken week.

I'm ready for a break!