Lost a Hen

[buckabucka]

So sorry for everyone losses.

Ninnymary, I have found two of my hens (and a rooster) dead at only a year old, at various times during my 4 years of keeping chickens. Each time, there was no explanation, appearing healthy, and then gone. Like you, I am not at a point where I am comfortable doing a necropsy, and even if I was, I'm not sure I could identify the problem. Definitely don't blame your own actions. It just happens sometimes.

 

[so lucky]

I think it is hard to loose a critter no matter how many one has. Catjac, I am sorry about your rooster. That was very compassionate to put him up in the coop like you did.
It would be interesting, but maybe heartbreaking, to know what they are thinking.

 

[catjac1975]

Well tonight I had a Lavender Orpington Chick hatch!!!!! I started 24 eggs in my new incubator 3 weeks ago. I checked them a week ago and 10 were blanks. I thought this might be the case with it being so cold. I added eggs for 2 extra days so I have 3 days of waiting. I hope I get a few more at least. I had a lot of bad hatches in my old incubator so I am hesitant about getting too excited. The chick looks fantastic and healthy. The egg membrane looked perfect for hatching. The incubator is totally automatic for temp and humidity. As long at they were good eggs I should get more. The lavenders tend to have smaller eggs so I think that is a contributing factor in their hatchability. Time will tell.
MY 3 BOYS WILL BE SO EXCITED WHEN THEY SEE THAT CHICK TOMORROW!!! I hope by then she has some company.

 

[baymule]

Chickies!!Chickies!!

 

[catjac1975]

Chickies!!Chickies!!

Well, chickie!!!!!!!!

 

[Wishin']

 

[Ridgerunner]

We can wait a couple of days on photos Really we can

Oh, by the way

 

[catjac1975]

The boys went crazy when they saw her-the baby cried when I put the chick back in the brooder.What will iI do with one chick? I guess it will be a house chicken.

 

[catjac1975]

So sorry for everyone losses.

Ninnymary, I have found two of my hens (and a rooster) dead at only a year old, at various times during my 4 years of keeping chickens. Each time, there was no explanation, appearing healthy, and then gone. Like you, I am not at a point where I am comfortable doing a necropsy, and even if I was, I'm not sure I could identify the problem. Definitely don't blame your own actions. It just happens sometimes.

I was watching The Incredible Dr. Pol with my boys. He treated a sick hen when all the other local vets laughed at the owner. He needed to euthanize it and then autopsied it for the owner. It was full of eggs without shells which just sometimes happens and kills the hen. The vet did it just to let the owner know it was nothing that she did wrong. I always say sometimes they just keel over. My rooster was very old.

 

[catjac1975]

I now have 6 lovely chicks. I will try to get photos with my 3 young farmers tomorrow. I think the hatch is done. There were many blanks with I am attributing to the cold. Will try again soon. The eggs that hatched were in perfect condition and the birds look great.