[colliebird]

I've now just got Black Rocks and a Sussex Star.  
She was a Black Rock, only about 6 months old and a good layer.  Wattle stayed red, no moulting. She had been eating well and laying every couple of days. She was still drinking but went downhill very quickly yesterday, so I packed her bags and sent her to Hen Heaven!  The abdomen wasn't swollen.

I also had a lovely Bluebell until one of my dogs decided to kill her, and I'll probably get a couple of Bluebells in the new year.  I'm watching to see if it wasn't something infectious, but the others are fine.  Healthy poo, laying almost every day and in fine full feather.

 :flower:

[Aunt Sally]

Dogs are always a danger to chooks unfortunately  :cry:

You'll never know what was wrong with your hen but it is a good idea to wait a while before getting any more to ensure the rest are healthy forst.

[colliebird]

Most of my collies will work  geese and ducks.  The Bluebell flew over the  ;z\ and the youngest collie just grabbed her by the head and took it off (she left the rest, so I plucked her and had her for dinner (the hen, not the dog )  

My hens are on deep shavings in Hen Manor and I don't want to empty and disinfect the place during winter, it would never dry, so I'll be doing it early spring.  I just keep adding fresh shavings, though I do clean under where they roost every day.

Thanks to everyone for your kind and helpful emails.

 :flower: