But........
Dolly was fine yesterday morning, but by early afternoon was very sick, with labored breathing and, much more than lethargy - she couldn't hold her head up and only opened her eyes a couple of times. I immediately put everyone on Sulmet in their water, and began forcing some down Dolly with a syringe. She was much worse by last night, and this morning when I got up, she was gone. (None of the other birds are showing any symptoms)
To be fair, she had a bout with something similar, but less severe, about 2 or 3 weeks ago, and snapped out of it overnight on the Sulmet - which I kept everyone on for a week after that. When the new birds came in, they went right into a quarantine cage, and I practiced rigorous 'hand hygiene." (I do work in a hospital, after all) I don't believe in coincidences, so I figure she either picked up a virus they brought in, especially if she was in a weakened condition from her earlier symptoms, or something regenerated her illness from before.
But why is it always your favorite?
She was quite a little character, and will be missed.
Awww.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for the loss of your little bird. I've not lost one of mine before. I wouldn't know what to do with it...don't mean to sound blunt. But do you bury, burn, ...what? I know you can't eat one. I know that sounds terrible. But I wonder these things, I'm so new to chicken keeping.
I have a few favorites and I guess...I just don't know what I'd do.
--thank you for sharing this post. I'll be watching and reading more.
Pat (CimCP)
No problem. I live in town and it is supposed to be against the law to bury animals here, but...... I turned over the compost heap, dug a hole, buried her wrapped in a towel, then covered the hole and forked the compost back over the top. I would definitely bury (deeply) a bird that died of a sickness. You don't want any chance the others might catch it. Burning - if you live in the country - might draw animals to the smell of "cooking?" and then you could have varmints digging through your burn pile. Just speculation, but I would want to take every precaution.
ReplyDeleteYes, Dolly had such a sweet, friendly personality. She really lit up the coop!
I'm so sorry Deb. She was my favorite too!! Will you be giving Jasmine a first lady name?
DeleteWas she laying? She may have had a broken egg inside, which perforated something vital. I have a friend who's lost a few chickens to this - no explanation - it just happens. That doesn't make it any easier to take, though.
ReplyDeleteSorry the bright little light is gone, but maybe one of the new ones will step into her place...
I'm sorry :-(.
ReplyDelete