[Blinkers]

   My wonderful, huge, adorably, over-friendly Brahma Cockerel just seemed to have a heart attack this morning and died on the spot.  He even still had a food pellet in his beak as he was eating at the time.       He'd been suffering from dratted red mite and I'd been treating him over the past 4 days with powder but just couldn't seem to shift them.  I wonder if the stress of it all just got to him?  

 

[Roxy]

oh dear, sorry about Doodle, but sounds like he went quick with no suffering.

I had a 16 year old bantam hen who went the same way.  Let her out, she started pecking the hen food, then suddenly went wobbly and dropped by my feet - gone!  I was upset as I had her since she was a chick,  but was happy in a way she went so quick.

Not sure if the red mite would cause the heart attack as such, but I know hens hearts do give out at any time. I have lost a few like this, for no real reason.

[Blinkers]

Oh my goodness 16 years old - that's a fantastic age and must have had a wonderful life.   Yes, I thought Doodle probably didn't actually know anything and just collapsed.   I was about 5 years away, heard a funny noise, turned round and there he was on his side.  I ran over and picked him up just as he was 'going'....so he kinda died in my arms.     

Gonna have to find another one now.....but trying to find a breeder is difficult.   Hmmm.... now there's a thought - maybe I should go in for breeding Brahmas?   (brain is whirring now............)

[Pigginshelly]

Oh, dear. Sorry to hear your news. At least you were there when he went, and know nothing untoward had happened. Good luck in your search to replace him, hope you find another friendly one.

Shelly

[Blinkers]

Thanks Shelly.     I've since heard that 4 years old is a reasonable age for a Large Heavy Breed like this and that Heart Attacks are not uncommon.   So, I sort of feel a tad better now - and yes, I'm glad I was there at the time.   I'd lost one of his two wives about 2 months ago - to a B****y Mink !!!!   It took 7 over a period of about 4 weeks  

[little blue]

Poor doodle.  have you had any fireworks nearby? Killed one of our baby quail we think
Minx minks....

[Blinkers]

No, no fireworks around here.........Fortunately we're way out in 'the sticks'.

Missed Doodle when I shut 'em all up tonight   ..... but tomorrow is another day  

[MiriMaran]

Sorry to hear about Doodle Blinkers and also your quail Ruth.  Big hug to you both.

[Blinkers]

Sorry to hear about Doodle Blinkers and also your quail Ruth.  Big hug to you both.

Hug received with thanks  

[little blue]

Ditto, thanks miri

So whats your plan Blinkers... buying, breeding, change of breed? (sorry, just being nosey!)

[Blinkers]

Eeerrrrmmm....well, have heard someone has a Free young Golden Brahma Cockerel in this area somewhere - just waiting for some contact info.....and would appear they breed too.....soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo......I MIGHT see if I can get a pair or trio  

[sandy]

Tonight we were suppose to go nextdoor to a fire works party, we have been previously and they have some big ones!!! We decided as we were a bit tiered we would stay in with the dogs and for nearly 2 hours it has sounded like world war 3!!!! I hope my poor chickens are all alive tomorrow....and of course the poor ducks...we will see, its quiet now fingers crossed.....

[Rosemary]

Sorry about Doodle - but what a life and the best end possible.

Hope you find a new cockerel soon.

[Blinkers]

Am DELIGHTED to report that Cock-A-Doodle2 has now arrived.   Only 14 weeks old and a bit over-awed by so many ladies!!!   No more female Brahmas available yet - but have put my name down for some hatching eggs next Spring      

The breeder - who, believe it or not....lives at the other end of our village   .....has some Faverolles .....and I'm VERY tempted to get some of them too.  

Thanks again to everyone for your support -it makes such a HUGE difference to have a lot of shoulders to cry on    

[little blue]

Brilliant news, hope he settles in with the girls soon.
will that be his name?!