You may remember that I posted on here about a month ago about a very shy new Splash Orpington hen (Dusty).
You may also remember that about 10 days after that I posted to say that she had perked up and all seemed to be well.
Sadly on Wednesday this week she seem to go back to how she had been, not eating properly and staying away from the other hens. We took her to the vet on Thursday and they could find nothing obvious wrong. The vet gave her some antibiotics and enough to treat the rest of the flock just in case, but on Thursday afternoon, she sadly succumbed to what ever it was and died.
My 9 year old son, was holding her and the time and I am so proud of him, he was a hero. He has been greatly saddened by what has happened and we all have. We may have only had her 4 weeks, but she had already found a place in our hearts.
My son was desperate to get another chicken today, but we were unsure about rushing as it maybe that the others have all got a problem too, just fighting it better as they are healthy and strong.
We decided to phone a couple of breeders and put our name down for some POL Orpingtons in a month or so. No one had any Orpingtons other than one breeder who had some week old chicks. She invited us to come and take a look - which we did and wrongly or otherwise we came home with 6, 1 week old chicks
At least by the time they are old enough to meet the other girls we should be certain that poor Dusty was a one off.
So any advice on chicks very much appreciated, still questioning my sanity, but it seems to have cheered up my little boy.
This is tough stuff looking after hens - never thought I would get so attached.