•1 min read•from Raising Chickens or Other Poultry for Eggs, Meat, or as Pets
Hen died
Our take
Losing a beloved hen is never easy, especially when she seemed so full of life and personality. Your feathered friend, who laid her first egg and brought joy to your coop, passed away unexpectedly, leaving you with feelings of confusion and guilt. It’s understandable to question if there was something you could have done differently. While her twitching after eating might hint at a neurological issue, it's tough to say for sure without a vet's insight. Additionally, the presence of shrews in your Alaskan backyard adds another layer of concern—could she have ingested something harmful? Your worries are valid, and seeking answers is a step toward healing. Let’s explore these questions together, as we navigate the ups and downs of chicken-keeping.
| | Pic of her first egg because she was so wonderful and perfect. I’ve never lost a hen before, I feel like a failure. That aside. There are no injuries, looks like she fell asleep on the coop floor and died. She’s always roosted, and actually jumps the highest so it’s not a problem of not being able to get up. Is it my fault? What sickness should I look for? She wasn’t showing any signs. The only thing, but she’s had this since I’ve had her, is after she ate she would have like a little twitch through her neck and head. It didn’t appear to be sourcrop and matched up more to a neurological disorder. Could that be it? Any insight would help. Edit to add: we also have shrews all over the place, I’m in Alaska. If she ate shrew droppings could that have killed her over night? [link] [comments] |
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