shock death

[mr darcy]

not having much luck
heard sox having a fit about 30mins ago which means somethings up, found buffy under the hedge apparently choking with blood in her mouth, picked her up, her head seemed floppy,was gasping horribly, tried to open her mouth, tipped her upside down, was just about realising that i had to put her out of her misery and then she flapped hard and died
am horribly upset, just don't know what happened, what do you think she could have done to herself? choked on something? broke her own neck? swallowzd sharp thing? no evidence of any external injury, just blood and livery coloured mucus in her mouth
poor buffy, i loved her so much, she didn't deserve that

[Flummery]

Oh, how sad. I have no idea what could have caused it but it must have been such a shock to you. At least she wasn't suffering for long.

[SuzyB]

So sorry to hear that, such a shame.

[Nicos]

Good grief

...no idea- maybe bitten by a rat/stoat/marten??
Have you checked her neck for puncture wounds???

Big hugs to you lass. At least ( touch wood) Sox seems to be recovering????

xx

[mr darcy]

not a mark on her! it's really weird, but i wonder if she could have pulled her own neck getting it stuck in the laurel bush or is that rediculous? i always want to know why? in case i can prevent it happening again,
sox is watchful, and her mate gypsy is a bit huddled up, oh well nearly roosting time ,tomorrow is another day

feel the need to add that i don't think i will get more hens, they just keep dying, conclusion, i am a rubbish hen keeper

[elizajay]

You can't hold yourself responsible for such a random sad death, don't give up!

[Nicos]

You're not rubbish at all!!!

...please keep up with the chooks- or they'll ( and others you would have had)end up in some farm not getting the wonderful care and love you give them.
So many peeps around here have chooks and the local foxes get them. Then they are replaced as if a disposable commodity...only to be killed by foxes again.
I think the locals think I'm weird as I lock ours away at night- have an electric fence and buy 'normal' feed ( as opposed to feeding them only stale bread)

Nope- don't even consider giving up- you've just had a run of bad luck xx

( my only other thought is that maybe there was a small shard of broken glass or sharp metal she ate thinking it was grit??)

[RichmondHens]

Sorry to hear it Mrs D. My first thought is that it was a predator attack which would explain why Sox was making such a fuss. What an awful shock for you. But please don't let it put you off keeping chickens.

[Glutton4...]

If one of the others was making a fuss, I would say predator, or perhaps she got her head stuck and panicked. Whatever happened, it's very sad. Big ((((HUGS)))) for you from me and my rabble.

[binley100]

How sad ....... <<<hugs>>>

[Suechooks]

Oh dear how really sad. Please don't give up - these things happen and she was happy right up till then.

[mr darcy]

Thankyou so much everyone, i just feel so heartbroken about her, Buffy was a very big freindly girl who'd been brought up with ducks and quacked a bit more than just clucked, it always made us really laugh as you could hear her chatting away in the henhouse in her rough old voice before open up time, yes she found a way into your heart that's for sure.
i guess i'll never really know what happened, i'm sorry she suffered, poor creature, but she'll be roosting in chook heaven tonight, god bless Buffy xxxx

[Scarlet]

Sorry to hear your news - but don't give up, you are giving them a good life and are enjoying them at the same time. It's upsetting at the moment but you have had some bad luck that has all come at once, everything has it's ups and downs, don't let it put you off it will change.

[walldanzig]

I wouldnt give up unfortunatley these things do happen we have really cold weather here at the moment I went up as normal saturday morning to let them out and when I went back saturday afternoon one of the young ones was laid dead in the snow. I had just six weeks ago introduced them to the main flock. I suspect she still wasnt getting enough food as she was thin when I picked her up that combined with the cold must have done for her. I feel bad about it but I dont think there is too much more I could have done. I didnt see them bullying her and there was plenty of food available. These things happen

[chris]

Hard not to get attached - sorry to hear it though. I've always thought I'd shrug it off, but I think I'd be gutted like yourself.

Definately don't let it put you off though! Just remember all the funny things they do, good times, daft buggers! Plus the eggs are a bonus