Minus 2

[Suechooks]

Have sadly had to make the decision for 2 more of my ex-batts to go to the big chicken coop in the sky. Both had been ailing but kept coming back to almost normal for some time now. However neither were eating properly ans one hadn't left the hut for 3 days. I was hand feeding them and one was only drinking when I held the water in front of her. So I felt that they should go "with dignity" and took them to the vet this morning.
Like Pippy they have had 18 months of freedom and being proper well-loved pet chooks. Both were bossy girls putting the others in their place from day1.
RIP Geri and Nora

[Bramble-Poultry]

Sorry to hear about your girls, I'm sure that they had the best 18 months!!

[Nicos]

OOOoooo...not a nice decision for you...but clearly the right one for the gals.
Glad you've been able to give them a lovely 18 months eh?
xx

[MaureenHall]

Sorry to hear that Sue, but thinking it through and letting them go with dignity was the best outcome

[RedThorn]

{{{hugs}}} so sorry for you

[HayleyB]

The best 18 months of their lives too, still tough though, take care Sue

[Lemon]

Such a hard call to make.............you made the best choice for them ....bless their little souls! I'm sure they had the best time of their lives with you!

[Chocolate Brownie]

why are so many chickens geting il and/or dying ant the moment, sorry sue, there was mini with a stroke (who survived), then there was steve have one die, then there was maureen then there was you and one of ours is on the icky side

[Nicos]

Ah well..who said something like ..historically what chickens do best is dying....usurped only by turkeys?????

Clearly rescue /ex batts are at a major disadvantage!

[Chocolate Brownie]

no chickens are goood at eating

[frias]

So sorry about your girls Sue. At least you gave them them 18 months of the good life which is longer than they spent in that horrible cage. (((((big hugs)))))

[MaureenHall]

no chickens are goood at eating

And pooing!!!

CB, unfortunately the ex-batts have already gone through so much in their very short lives that the relief of not being cooped up in a cage with another 4 or 5 birds must be so exciting for them that their little worn out bodies just can't cope. They're old ladies in a less than 2 year old body. At least they've spent their last few days/weeks/months/years being chickens and not egg-laying machines and they've died with dignity with humans who care about them

[Hans Mum]

so sorry sue,, its a bit of a theme at the moment, these poor ladies give everything and sometimes its all too much, at least you gave them dignity in life and at the end {{{{{{hugs}}}}}}

[Suechooks]

so sorry sue,, its a bit of a theme at the moment, these poor ladies give everything and sometimes its all too much, at least you gave them dignity in life and at the end {{{{{{hugs}}}}}}

The awful thing is I can see 2 more going the same way. One in particular is a sparky little girl and she's gone all quiet and thoughtful. I found a "lash" on the plot yesterday and have noticed this is sometimes a prelude to the slow deterioration process.
While i know these girls have a limited life span it does get a bit depressing.
In a strange sort of way it is some consolation to know that it's not just mine. Like everyone else I was beginning to think it was something I was or wasn't doing although discussing with my vet he was very reassuring ( he would be though wouldn't he!) and the contact with the Grapes does give lots more reassurance as most of us understand the ex-batts

[Hashette]

((((Sue)))) I really hope you're wrong about the other two. Know what you mean about it being some consolation it's not just yours.

It really isn't just yours, though, and there's only so much we can do for them after what they've put up with in their short lives. Whatever happens, you have done everything anyone could. Thanks to you, they've had a life and felt the sun on their wings