RIP Blossom

[SuzyB]

I found my skyline, Blossom, who I only got on mothers day dead in the run this morning. I know we dont have favourites but if we did....

I was very surprised, out of the two I got, Cherry stopped laying 2 weeks ago, just like that. She had a couple of days of looking miserable, couple of nights in the kitchen, seems to be ok now, although she's very quiet because she's bottom of the pecking order, but Blossom seemed absolutely fine.

I feel awful because when I went to shut the run each night, a couple of times cherry and blossom were both roosting on a perch in the run. I shoved them in the house (pop hole stays open) and sometimes they'd stay and sometimes they'd come back out.

Last night they were both out and I thought to myself, if they went to be out, they will be out, despite me pushing them in the house so I left them.

I didnt realise it was going to be so cold last night, do you think its my fault and I should have put them in and closed the hole? Blossom was so sweet, the only chicken Ive had that didnt mind sitting on my knee and being stroked

Then again Im wondering if I got a sickly pair, at the place I got them from, they pick them for you, you dont see where they are coming from or get to choose although its apparently got a good reputation. I have no idea why Cherry has stopped laying, I miss my little green eggs.

[shirlthegirl43]

Sorry to hear about Blossom, they can go so very quickly and without any signs of illness. Don't worry about them having been out - when we had our first three, a couple of times the pop hole didn't slide closed properly (without us noticing) and the hens ended up outside in minus 4 with no ill-effects.

I would contact the place where you got them and explain about both girls and see if they offer you any advice or compensation. The stopping of laying could be down to the move but I don't think you have anything to lose by giving them a call.

[MaureenHall]

So sorry to hear about Blossom (what a lovely name). Please don't blame yourself, it sounds as if she'd have gone anyway. It does seem that you did get an "iffy" pair if Cherry has also been under the weather. It's unfortunate that you weren't able to choose the birds you wanted and I'm wondering that even though the place has an apparently good reputation have they got something to hide?

[Nicos]

Aww...I'm sorry- you must feel awful

I'd nip over ( or phone ) the place you got them from. You never know- they may have also had a problem with their birds since you've been and they might be able to tell you what went wrong and that can be done to keep Cherry OK.

Did you worm them when you got them? Have you checked for mites etc? ( just a thought cos I'm paranoid about transferring diseases/parasites etc!)

I'm going to name my two Marans chicks (as I'm 99.9% they are gals and not for the freezer)...and I thought I'd call one Blossom in her memory- and the other one Petal. Hope that's OK????
x

[SuzyB]

Thanks you for the advice, I think I will give them a call. When I bought them, they told me by phone they had cream legbars in, when I got there after over an hours drive, they went off to get them and came back with the Skylines saying they didnt have legbars, would they do instead. Does make you wonder doesnt it.

Nicos, yes, just wormed them last week when Cherry first starting looking 'peaky' and no signs of mites. I think its a lovely idea to call your Marans Blossom and Petal

[Nicos]

Oh good!

( I nearly called the youngest one with the hernia 'Sutana' cos she looks like she's got one stuck to her bum!!!...I think Petal will be a much more sophisticated name!. The older one is much grander- so she will be Blossom!)

Good luck with speaking to the peeps ...from what you say it sounds a bit of a mess!

[MrsC]

So sorry to hear your news, it's not nice, don't worry re - the temps last night. Sounds to me like an underlying condition. Got to agree though they can go quick and it's a shock, you always look for a reason why. x

[sheena]

Awww, i'm so sorry for your loss. It is trully heart breaking

Don't worry about the cold nights tho, if it were too cold she would of taken herself inside. Mine all congregate in the house of a night, but I have given up closing the door on them for the last month as they decide when they want to get up and help themselves to food and water on waking.

Sometimes mother nature intervenes but sadly there is nothing we can do to stop it.

[BUFFS]

sorry to hear of you losing blossom,they do seem to drop without warning,,id do as suggested and give the suppliers a call,whatever the outcome,i wish you the best with your birds,enjoy their antics..and their eggs