The Dinosaurs in my Back GardenRe: The Dinosaurs in my Back GardenSo sorry to hear about Florence as Karen has said good for her that she wasn't sick for ages and suffer but still so so sad for you.
The Pink Ladies..Audrey,Ingrid-Bergman,Madeleline,Norma-Jean,Dora,Janice,Jo,Robyn,Chrissy and Joyce
The Peds…Mork,Mindy,Bell,Saphire & Vorky ,Blueped,Ginger,Ninger &Linky Sunny Clucker was ere July 12-21 2012 Sunny Clucker was ere July 6 2016 to Sept 9th 2017 Sunny Clucker is here , rehomed Aug 18th 2018/
Re: The Dinosaurs in my Back GardenI had a post mortem done on Florence today since she died so suddenly. Turns out she had fatty liver disease and died of a liver haemorrhage. This disease is caused by too much high energy feed - often carbohydrates - that is not being exercised away. Florence wasn't overweight but she was certainly at the top end of the range. She looked bursting with health. The girls get out for an hour each day Mon to Frid and several hours at the weekend. They do get corn on the cob as a treat sometimes but also low carb foods like broccoli and water melon. The other girls are very well but more svelt than Florence was. There are generally no obvious symptoms of fatty liver disease and the hen can be looking great and laying great then die suddenly. Often straining to lay can be the trigger for the haemorrhage. I had never heard of this before. I am now devastated because surely I could have prevented Florences death if I had reduced her carbs. I don't think I'll ever forgive myself.
Re: The Dinosaurs in my Back GardenWell at least that can allay any fears about respiratory infections and such - I once lost my whole flock to a lingering respiratory infection that I hadn't realised Toffee had died from.
I know it's easy to say, but you mustn't blame yourself. It doesn't sound like you're over feeding treats in fact it sounds like you're remarkably well controlled. It may be that Florence had a propensity to put more weight on and perhaps her system wasn't as good at metabolising the carbs. Karen
Alpha chick to: Smudge, Matisse and Bluebell Chief servant to Marley the cat Remembering Weeps, Rexie, Sage, Cassie, Toffee, Captain Gabby, Commander Nugget, Ronnie, Juno, Special Poetry and Reading Casper, Tigger, Tophenanall Rembrandt, Chestnut, Tiddly, Willow, Mango, Coco, Dorian Grey and Pokey. Also my lost furries Charlie and Jasper
Re: The Dinosaurs in my Back Garden
Thanks Karen. I dearly hope you are right but in truth and in hindsight I think I was over doing it. A tough lesson for me and worse for poor Flo. I can only learn from it and move on. Thanks again. X
Re: The Dinosaurs in my Back GardenHi , chicken keeping is all about experience which is hard to teach but hands on means it all.
Free range girls run about as much as they can , boys chasing watching for predators ,all helps keep fit. Reduced space girls need a special diet . Easy to say, how many fat cats and dogs about . Well done for finding the cause. Bob P S I have probably the same fatty liver so do not get upset . Re: The Dinosaurs in my Back GardenI looked up lots about fatty liver in chooks when I had an orpington that I thought had the problem. It seems to be something some chooks are more prone to than others. Foods rich in biotin are good for liver repair - chard, cauli, egg yolks. You couldnt have known poor Florence had this, but at least you keep an eye on the others.
"He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals."
--Immanuel Kant
Re: The Dinosaurs in my Back GardenThanks everyone for your support. I have learned a big lesson here. Love to you all.
Re: The Dinosaurs in my Back GardenPlease do not beat yourself up! MY neighbour gives his girls donuts, chips, malt loaf, tacos,naan bread, curry, you name it, whatever he wants to offload and not one Ped girl has died of a fatty liver. My Deirdre(Deedee Mahoney) died of liver failure and ate exactly the same as my other , at the time, 10 girls and she wasnt over weight. Like us some hens are more susceptible to illnesses than others. You are an excellent chicken parent so get any thoughts of being rubbish right out of your head now!
The Pink Ladies..Audrey,Ingrid-Bergman,Madeleline,Norma-Jean,Dora,Janice,Jo,Robyn,Chrissy and Joyce
The Peds…Mork,Mindy,Bell,Saphire & Vorky ,Blueped,Ginger,Ninger &Linky Sunny Clucker was ere July 12-21 2012 Sunny Clucker was ere July 6 2016 to Sept 9th 2017 Sunny Clucker is here , rehomed Aug 18th 2018/
Re: The Dinosaurs in my Back GardenSorry to hear of your loss. I agree with everyone else, some chickens are more prone to diseases than others (just like us humans are). It was not your fault so don't be hard on yourself.
Re: The Dinosaurs in my Back Garden
Thanks
Re: The Dinosaurs in my Back Garden
Re: The Dinosaurs in my Back GardenThis is my new girl. 17 week old Barnevelder. I have named her Bella.
Re: The Dinosaurs in my Back GardenAnother piccy of Bella.
Re: The Dinosaurs in my Back GardenHere is my darling little Matilda...
Re: The Dinosaurs in my Back GardenAnd here is Hamble - now amazed she is no longer bottom of the pecking order.
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