Too emotionally attached to my birds?

[Matilda Belle]

Just a bit of background. I have 8 silkies ages 8-12 weeks. They are kept in a coop at night and have access to 125 sq. ft. run all day and seem pretty happy. I have bonded with each of them which I didn't expect to happen but it did. Since getting chickens about 3 months ago, I've had 3 pass away around 3 weeks, one pass away yesterday, one with wry neck I'm treating, and now there is blood in the stools in the coop so I'm treating with corid.

i guess I always thought chickens were pretty resilient but it just seems like one thing after another. Can someone tell me if all this is common or if I'm just having bad luck? Should I get used to this somehow? I have a very sensitive heart and it hits me really hard to lose pets. Should I somehow try not to get too close emotionally since these birds seem so fragile?

 

[Ridgerunner]

When you deal with living animals you sometimes have to deal with dead animals, that's just the way it is. But that sounds like a lot. Chickens are generally not that fragile.

Do you know why those four passed? What kind of symptoms did thy have, if any? I suspect you might have Coccidiosis so the Corid treatment may be a really good thing. It's possible something else is going on. You might check with your county extension office tomorrow and see what is involved in getting a necropsy if another dies. Find out the cost, if any, how to store the animal, and where to take it. A vet can do a fecal study to determine if it is Cocci, but that will cost. Find out how much, it might be worth it to you.

It's possible you could just be having bad luck. It's possible there could be something genetically wrong with your chicks. Some disease or parasite may be involved, Cocci is a real possibility. It is strange that three would die together, something is going on and Cocci could explain it.

As long as you provide food, fresh water, protection from predators, and protection from the environment (which includes protecting them from excessive wet) as age appropriate they should thrive.

I can't tell what is going on over the internet but no, that many is not normal.

 

[BY Bob]

It is always hard to lose pets. I recently lost my best hen and my dear cat within 5 days and I did not take it well. But that's why we have pets. What's the point if you don't feel the loss?

As far as what is occurring to your flock I agree with @Ridgerunner There must be something else going on. I just had to check because when Daisy passed we thought we had suffered from nothing but constant losses but it was not so. We have gone years without losing a hen and never lost any 2 from the same problem.

 

[BY Bob]

It is always hard to lose pets. I recently lost my best hen and my dear cat within 5 days and I did not take it well. But that's why we have pets. What's the point if you don't feel the loss?

As far as what is occurring to your flock I agree with @Ridgerunner There must be something else going on. I just had to check because when Daisy passed we thought we had suffered from nothing but constant losses but it was not so. We have gone years without losing a hen and never lost any 2 from the same problem.

Hang in there it will smooth out.

 

[Matilda Belle]

I am currently treating with corid so I hope that clears everything up and hope to have no more issues for awhile. I'm just feeling really down after losing my showgirl yesterday.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Bear hugs.....

 

[BY Bob]

I am currently treating with corid so I hope that clears everything up and hope to have no more issues for awhile. I'm just feeling really down after losing my showgirl yesterday.

I feel your pain. Sending hugs.

It will take time but a new favorite will emerge.

 

[drumstick diva]

so sorry

 

[chickenmama109]

So sorry to hear about everyones chi kens I've lost two chickens and three chicks last year I don't think it's bad luck these things just happen when you raise chickens and it also happens when a dog jumps your fence and eats them

 

[BY Bob]

So sorry to hear about everyones chi kens I've lost two chickens and three chicks last year I don't think it's bad luck these things just happen when you raise chickens and it also happens when a dog jumps your fence and eats them

Sorry for your losses. It's not easy sometimes for sure but the good days far outweigh the bad ones.