[egbert]

OK - what on earth has happened to my happy chook house!

This morning my 4 chooks were wandering about happily. I noticed a large egg from one of the ex-bats I got in April which was a normal egg but sitting in a very wet patch with bloody streaks on it.

Just been called out now by my inlaws who have seen the ex-bat lying on her side, still alive barely, with the other 3 eating her alive from the bottom end. YUCH! The poor chook is completely red raw and bleeding from her bum, and absolutely stinks. 

What on earth is wrong with her? And my god, why are chickens so nasty!

Definitely the last dinosaurs! 

Anyway, I got them away from her - she did one almighty jump in the air but is still moving. I have put her in a cat box, but TBH I dont expect her to last more than an hour. I have called my neighbour to come dispatch her for me, but he wont be here till after work. Not sure what else I can do.   


I am having a bad week. Yesterday I found out I may be losing my job. Today I am losing a hen. I may just hide in bed with my kids all day tomorrow, I don't want to lose a 3rd thing. 

[scotelf]

I don't know, sorry, but doesn't sound good  From what I've read about chooks they can gang up on an individual one and be quite vicious, but someone from here with more experience will perhaps give you a better answer.

As for the job, that's a real toughy, I hope it works out for you.

[Cobra]

They can pick on one another as a pecking order but i would have thought this is a chook that they see as having a virus or health issue detrimental to the flock, they will kill a bird if it is a threat, just like crows or jackdaws.

[supplies for smallholders]

If they see any cut or split or redness hens tend to home in on it and peck, especially around the vent.

Not much you can do for her I guess, but may be handy to have some anti feather pecking spray or stockholm tar ready in case it starts to happen with any others.

Thanks

[OverWyreGrower]

If they see any cut or split or redness hens tend to home in on it and peck, especially around the vent.

Just about to say the same thing... any small wound etc can be made tons worse in a short space of time...

[Daveravey]

I agree with what everyone above has said, as my nasty Black Rocks are forever pecking each other & drawing blood, even though i spray them with anti-peck.

Just gotta keep her isolated for a few days & her wounds clean.

[ellisr]

she may have prolapsed and then the other chickens will attack.

[shetlandpaul]

i agree with ellisr.you need to kill her now. she will be in a lot of pain. the sad news is she would most likely have died from it even if the others had not helped. nothing you have done could have helped its just unlucky for the chuck. sorry that your losing your job.

[egbert]

Whats a prolapse?

She is dead now, and stiff so looks like she went very quickly after being put in the cat box. 

Poor lady.

[egbert]

OK - Have now looked at prolapse. Thats makes sense as the egg was large this am.

I assume that her eggs are fine - although a little offputting knowing it was bloody and the cause of her horrific death. 

[ellisr]

The eggs will be fine it is an unfortunate freak of nature when this happens but we all have to just handle it in the most humane way possible and the quicker the better.

Sorry for your loss I know how it feels the fox has just wiped out my chickens and geese in broad daylight.

[egbert]

Sorry to hear that Ellis 

Poor chooks have a lot of nasty ways to go - what a life!

[knightquest]

Sorry to hear the bad news egbert on both fronts.

Don't worry about the third thing tho' - that is just a myth. Believe that things will get better. 

Really sorry to hear about your losses to ellisr

Ian

[CameronS]

it must just be a bad few  day for hen's dying, i have lost more this week than  i have in 3years 

sorry for everyones losses, in cases like this sometimes it's best not to dwell on it, and move on

[doganjo]

Must be the time of year - Sandy lost two last week, I lost one 2 days ago and another about 2 weeks ago.  Very nearly lost my two new LS babies - they went AWOL at teatime yesterday and I had to go out and leave them. It was pitch black when i go back so went out to the paddock with a torch and a dog and found no sign of them.  When I went out this morning they were in the run so they must have been there all night.  I never checked that!