[em&hens]

Hello i'm new to keeping chickens and this site. I got 3 chickens last sunday and they settled in nicely. Had my 1st egg just 4 hours after them being here and they have seemed to be fine, eating, drinking, run of the garden and going into bed like little darlings for me......so everything good!!!!...till this morning   and when i went to let them out and do the usual feed, water and clearing up the poop, in one of the nest boxes Penny was just there not moving, The other two jumped down to start their day and i was just left in shock really. I had prepared myself for foxes so hadn't even thought that one might just die!!.........don't know what else to say really...think i'm still abit shocked. Anyone been through the same thing?

[lotstodo]

Oh so sorry to hear your sad news, big hugs.    We're new to the chicken keeping too so not much help i'm afraid. I'm sure someone will be along soon for you. This site is great loads of friendly ppl and lots of good advice.

[Porffor]

I'm so sorry for your loss, I can totally understand your shock.
I'm also new to chickens so have no advice i'm afraid.

[poultrygeist]

welcome em&hens.

Sorry to hear of such a sad start to your experience.

I wonder if the stress of all this heat may have been too much for her ?

It's small consolation I know, but at least you still have two, so you're not left with a lonely hen.
I presume there's no sign of mites or anything that may have weakened her ?
In the absence of anything physical, it's just one of those things unfortunately.  

Rob

[Roughlee Handled]

I had a death of one of my chucks yesterday.  Its a shame but I was aware that there was a problem.  Must have been a real shock for you.  Hope your coping and don't forget we are here if you need anyone chat to.

[em&hens]

Hi, thanks for all your kind words guys Yeah i did think about the heat so all week i had been putting out lots of water dotted about the garden, there's lots of shade for them too......anyway onwards and upwards i still have 2 but yes a grim start but that's how things go i guess.

Emma
thanks nice to know that i can chat with lovely people

[Vember]

Hi

Welcome to the forum sorry it's not in happier circumstances  :cry:

Try and make sure as well as plenty of water they have an area of shade and also a nice sand/soil bath which will help to cool them down

Once again sorry to hear about your loss and hope to hear more good stuff about you & your hens in the future

[Jellyhead]

:cry:  :cry:  :cry: sorry for you, its awful to lose a chook but when its out of the blue sometimes it seems more painful :? unfortunately I have come to realise that there isn't always an explanataion :?