[andrewandkaren]

We have just lost one of our chickens and we dont know why..within 48hrs she died..her comb was pink and the other chickens she was with are fine...(touch wood) she hadnt been laying eggs consistantly..WHY???could she have been egg bound..im lost...

[Kate and her Ducks]

I'm so sorry to hear you have lost your hen and it is always worse when you don't know why. What symptoms did she have? When you said she died with 48 hours do you mean she had been unwell for 48 hours or that you had only had her for 48 hours. How old is she?

[andrewandkaren]

she went off her food, she was crouched down with her tail down would only drink water if given on a spoon,  her poo was a bit runny, she wouldnt walk around, very unsteady.  We have had her for 12 months ex rescue bird when we got her she was probably 18 months old.

[GrannieAnnie]

Sometimes that's the problem I'm afraid.  the ex batts are worn out when you get them at 18 months.  So she had a good extra year with you.  Hybrids are bred for egg production, not for living long lives.  In those 18 months, she probably laid an egg every day, maybe 2.  She was in cages with other birds, had her food given to her, not quite force fed, but similar and the lights go on and off, sometimes to make them have 2 days in one.

It is a very stressful life and some when rescued only last a few days.  Saying that however, I have known ex batts live for 4 or 5 years.

So she may just have been old and k*******d.  However, keep an eye on your other girls, and when you can have a good clean out of their house and run just in case.  Hope the others will be okay.

[karlooben]

i have ex batts an i have also had just had them drop dead on me for no reason but i have noticed that the slighest thing can make them go down ill very fast , am sorry for your lose 

[Kate and her Ducks]

But how wonderful that she got 12 months of happy life as a proper chicken. Sad that she's gone but what a gift to have given her.

[FRUITFULL]

i second that kate!sorry to hear your girlie died  im new to the chicken world and am still trying to work out if ours are pets or chicks!!

[HENrietta]

So sorry to hear of your loss . Hope your other girls perk up. And yourself!  

HENrietta