Two losses, one sad baby left alone. :(

[Primrose]

Hi everyone!
Been so long since I posted. Last time I popped in was because our chick, Primrose (now a big healthy hen!), was having a lot of trouble walking. The wisdom shared here saved her life (vitamin deficiency)! She's in great shape, and lays gorgeous green eggs.

On April 17 we received another smaller batch of day-old chicks from Meyer Hatchery (where got the first five last spring). Thought we'd add 3 more to our flock, and chose a silver Lakenvelder, a blue Andalusian, and a German Spitzhauben. They were all in great shape...until yesterday. The Lakenvelder, Scout, started limping. That rapidly progressed to full-blown paralysis, and she died overnight. She had classic Marek's symptoms, even though she wasn't the typical age for susceptibility according to what I've read.

When we got up this morning we found her dead and the Andalusian, Harper, suffering. Harper died a hour later. Now, Zelda, the Spitzhauben, is all alone and very sad. She's obviously been exposed, as all 3 were brooded together, but so far is showing no symptoms. We hope she's resilient and doesn't come down with it.

Yesterday I bleached all things that came in contact with the first sick chick. Haven't done it again, since Harper died, because I assume that Zelda has been super exposed already and there may be no point to re-sanitizing everything. But maybe I should?
And in case you're wondering, these 3 were kept entirely separate from our older hens.

So I suppose the burning question is this: is there anything we can do, aside from holding Zelda all the time (which she really likes, especially now) to help her not be super lonely? She's sitting in the brooder right now crying pitifully, wondering where her sisters went. Makes me so sad.

Thoughts and suggestions welcome, thank you!!

 

[hugapug]

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss and my heart goes out to little Zelda. Animals do experience loss and emotion. I don't have any advice as I'm very new to having chickens but I just wanted to extend a cyber hug and hope Zelda stays healthy. Hopefully, she won't be alone for too much longer.

 

[wsonphan80]

Maybe putting a stuffed animal in might help? Or something she could snuggle up with and feel secure? Maybe when you hold her, cradle her in a small, soft towel until she falls asleep. Then maybe you'll be able to wean her onto just sleeping with the towel. Gosh, I'm so sorry for your loss and what you are going through. There's nothing worse than that feeling of helplessness. I'm sure Zelda appreciates all the love and attention she's getting. Crossing my fingers and hoping the best for you and little Zelda...

 

[Primrose]

Thanks so much for your kind thoughts. My daughter held and comforted Zelda almost all day yesterday, which was healing for them both. So far, Zelda is doing very well. Still active, preening, making a lot of noise. We put a mirror and a little stuffed alien (thanks kids!) in her brooder, and she seems to like them both. She still cries, but she slept well last night (I figure she was tired out from all the attention!) and is in good spirits today. Fingers crossed....one day at a time until she's big enough to join our other girls in the coop.