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Barnyard Buddies:  Chicken died...now what?  |
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RobinB
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Robin
Rockvale
Tennessee
USA
32 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 13 2009 : 2:50:37 PM
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| I'm a first time chicken mama and my girls are almost 1 year old. To date, none have been sick or had any problems. Today I found one of my Rhode Island Reds had died and was on the floor of my chicken house. I removed her and checked the others. None seemed sick and all were eating well when I fed them. What could have caused this? Temps are in 60's today and all seemed well last night. They have a run off their house so I don't think a anything could have gotten to them. |
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K-Falls Farmgirl
Chapter Leader
2096 Posts
Cheryl
Klamath Falls
Oregon
USA
2096 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2009 : 3:22:31 PM
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ohhhhhhhhh Robin, I am sorry to hear of your chicken baby dying. Perhaps she was just not as healthy as the others. How many others do you have?
Cheryl
Farmgirl #309
Almost daily posts at:
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Come visit the barn at http://barndoorcreations.blogspot.com/
Every time I hear the dirty word 'exercise',
I wash my mouth out with chocolate.
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2009 : 4:06:03 PM
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If you have a vet that deals with poultry they can look at it(for a fee) and may be able to give you some insight. In the mean time I would suggest cleaning all you feeders and waterers with a mild bleach solution as well as wiping down any roosting poles and changing the bedding you put in the nesting boxes. Could just be one of those things.
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
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BlackHorseFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
91 Posts
Elizabeth
Chicago
IL
USA
91 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2009 : 6:40:30 PM
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| Unfortunately where there is livestock there is dead stock. I am truly sorry for your loss though. I have lost chickens in the past and it is indeed sad. |
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DJSmiles
Farmgirl in Training
24 Posts
Darlene
Kalispell
Montana
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - Feb 14 2009 : 6:08:48 PM
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Just want to say I am sorry that you lost one of your girls. It is always a sad thing 
I have lost several hens and have shed tears for each one of them.
When a chicken suddenly dies, the very best thing would be to have a vet do an autopsy to see what the cause of death is.
Unfortunately I could not afford to have this done when it happened, and HAD I been able to afford it, I doubt seriously my husband would have agreed with my financial decision :)
What you could do, is watch your girls very close. You will be looking for any behavioral changes, pale combs, droopy heads, sleepy chickens, or chickens not wanting to come down from the roost or not eating or drinking, smelly droppings or poopy chicken butts. If you observe any of the above behaviors, I would advise calling a vet, and if you have no vet available, posting on the backyard chicken forum under emergencies.
Unfortunately sometimes, chickens just die and there is no apparent cause.
Good luck and I am sorry about your chickie girl. |
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RobinB
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Robin
Rockvale
Tennessee
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - Feb 14 2009 : 6:56:39 PM
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Thank you for all your responses. I did think to clean the water can today with a bleach solution. There are now 22 girls left. I've been watching them and they seemed fine, thank goodness. I was afraid I would wake up this morning to more losses, but so far so good. Cleaning the nest boxes and such are also a good idea and I will do that tomorrow. I also wanted to say how great all of you are! I've been a member on here almost 3 years, but rarely post. Each time I do I can count on wonderful advice and caring from everyone! Farmgirls are the best! I hope to post more in the future, but working full time and chauffering 2 teenagers to their activities doesn't leave much time. I'm a beginner farmgirl with small projects. Thanks again everyone! |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Feb 14 2009 : 7:11:20 PM
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Robin, I just wanted to say I have lost chickens for no apparent reason, too. Fine one day, dead the next. I think it's just nature's way of culling the flock. Things like that happen all the time.
It is sad, but it happens to the best of us, no matter how well we think we take care of our "babies". I am sorry for your loss.
Kris
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. Maori proverb |
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RobinB
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Robin
Rockvale
Tennessee
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2009 : 5:21:00 PM
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| Thank you Kris, and everyone for your response. I'm beginning to think it was just one of those things. |
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Barnyard Buddies: Chicken died...now what? |
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Chicken died...now what?
