Julia R.I.P

[frias]

Had to take Julia our boss hen to the vet today and he thought it best to put her to sleep. She had been laying soft eggs for the last few days despite oyster shell, crushed eggshells, eggs and limestone flour. When I phoned the vet he said he could give her a calcium injection so I set off for the vet quite hopeful, however on examination he said Julia had egg peritonitis and although we could keep her going for a little longer it would be kinder to put her to sleep. I am beginning to think I must be doing something wrong as it's only 2 weeks since Mrs Brown was put to sleep and only 2 months since Sunshine died. My remaining 3 girls look really well but so did Julia 2 weeks ago.
Julia was a good boss hen. Always in charge but never a bully.

[Hans Mum]

awww thats sad, the kindest thing for her at least she's not suffering anymore[[[[[hugs]]]]]

[Suechooks]

Had to take Julia our boss hen to the vet today and he thought it best to put her to sleep. She had been laying soft eggs for the last few days despite oyster shell, crushed eggshells, eggs and limestone flour. When I phoned the vet he said he could give her a calcium injection so I set off for the vet quite hopeful, however on examination he said Julia had egg peritonitis and although we could keep her going for a little longer it would be kinder to put her to sleep. I am beginning to think I must be doing something wrong as it's only 2 weeks since Mrs Brown was put to sleep and only 2 months since Sunshine died. My remaining 3 girls look really well but so did Julia 2 weeks ago.
Julia was a good boss hen. Always in charge but never a bully.

Really sorry to hear that Frias. These ex-batts are very fragile healthwise I think. I constantly worry about mine and have 3 who are looking seedy and have been for a while. We get regular "softies" and thin shells and like you I give all the calcium supplements. My philosophy with these girls is to give them the best of everything for as long as they have. You have to be realistic and remember the life they came from which in any other creature would be classed as abuse/neglect. They are not bred for longevity and your girls have had the respect, love and care they deserved from you and have had a happy time doing proper chickeny things.

[Nicos]

A difficult decision for you- but the kindest. xx

Sorry to hear of your sad run of events....I can't possibly imagine that any of it is your fault though.
How old are the chooks? ...and what breed?

I'm just thinking that I know certain breeds of bunny and dogs and horses are more prone to certain problems- could it be your breed is prone to this?
or...are they old and this is to be expected?????

It's worth checking up on the breed- although I don't have the foggiest where to start looking ( apart from Google)- and maybe chose a different variety for the replacements.

Let us know your thoughts on that. x

[RedThorn]

(((hugs))) Just think of all the time that you have given her, Simple things like learning to scratch in the dirt, the joy of laying in the sun etc. None of these she had ever experianced. Being spoilt, cared for and loved. I'm sure she had a better time with you. Take heart and think of what she did learn to do.

[MaureenHall]

So sorry to hear about Julia, she did have a happy life before she died though

[HayleyB]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[lizzylemon]

Sorry for you - it's not an easy decision to make but the best you could offer her which is all you've ever done for the girls. lets hope this sees the end of your bad luck. (((((((hugs))))))

[Jardiniere]

Sorry your hen died ...but what is egg peritonitis and what are the symptoms?
My grey hen recently died and i dont know why ..she was only about a year old ...i've had old hens die on me but thats to be expected... the grey one was never as good a layer as the other two.
i try not to name the hens but they get nick names for identification purposes in the end!
The grey one was the grey one cos there was only one grey one.....i'm thinking of only getting little red ones from now on in so there will be ginger one and then ginger two etc etc...we buy ours from the market in Villefranche De Rouergue - i've not found out whether you can get ex-bats here ...i suspect not ..

[Flummery]

I'm really sorry to hear about Julia. I think the life of a battery hen really takes it out of their bodies. Many seem to suffer from osteoporosis and adding calcium just doesn't cut it. In humans, exercise is good for brittle bones but in the cages they can't get that. I'm sure that's why so many have soft eggs and difficulties laying them.

Don't feel that it's anything you're doing. You have given them so much - some freedom and being treated as individuals.

[frias]

My girls were Warrens and ex-batts. I got them a year ago and I guess they were about 12/18 months old when I had them. I'm not sure if the battery 'farms' get them at POL and keep them for a year or just keep them until they are 1 year old. Anyway not old in chicken terms but the vet says he is not surprised they do not live long as they go through hell in the cage. Apparently laying an occasional softie is not usually a problem but sometimes some of the egg falls into the abdomen and infection starts up. My niece has a 6 year old hen that still lays and usually very thin shells but she's fine so maybe it's the ex-batts that have used up every bit of calcium in their body whilst still young. My girls have all laid very well since I had them not even taking time off when they moulted. Unfortunately I forgot to ask the vet if a calcium injection would be a good idea for the others but will ask after Easter, especially as Poppy who always lays funny looking eggs anyway, laid a softie this morning. Here we go again!
Besides laying softies, Julia had her head tucked in and was not so interested in food, even treats. (She did have some food in her crop which the vet was surprised about) Also she had not joined in the pigeon fights with the others, when usually she chased off pigeons and went for them with her feet like a cockerel would.
It's not put me off keeping hens and although I would love some posh birds I will probably get some more ex-batts in the summer. I have had lots of pleasure just watching these girls learn all about how to trash a garden.
Sorry for my ramblings but It's my age I guess.

[Bephlam]

poor Julia!!