The last two days have been tough since the loss of Matilda. I suspect she may have had parasites as well as being egg bound and one condition complicates the other. Any flock, even in the cleanest of conditions, can occasionally get parasites and once discovered, they must be treated. With young hens it usually isn’t an issue. With older hens who have already exhibited laying issues it can be more devastating and it is a hard lesson to learn in such a way.
I have read all of the experts and newbie alike who keep backyard fowl and in the best of care the odds are that at some point you are going to lose a hen along the way to disease, physical condition, predators, infighting, or any number of causes, but the loss is still hard to bear.
At just under three and a half years, she was no longer young, but too young to go. My only consolation is knowing she spent her final hours in quiet comfort, as best as could be provided, while I went through the usual steps to treat egg binding … but sue was too far gone. I am wrestling with feelings of regret that I should’ve spotted her trouble a day or two earlier, but with her age and the condition appearing chronic, it may have only been a matter of time before she was egg bound and suffering once again.
I am renewing my efforts for a balanced diet and am now administering a dewormer into their watering font as a precaution. I don’t KNOW that she had worms, but merely suspect. No one else is showing symptoms or issues, but I am being extra cautious. Plus have added a little DE into their feed and coop to combat the possibility of any other parasites.
Coq Au is showing signs of grief too, in his own way. He has a whole flock to look after so his grief can not consume him, but as he stands vigilant amongst the flock, I catch him looking wistfully into the distance. I wonder if he’s watching and waiting for Matilda to come home and that breaks my heart.
While out of the run and into the yard, the rest of the flock are hanging closer together. I wonder if the other hens aren’t keeping a close eye on one another now that they realize one of their own is gone.
The hard thing about pets … especially of the outdoor/livestock variety, is that even under the best circumstances, one gets away from you. As prepared as I am for these moments, it is still hard not to be a crybaby about it. As they age, other hens will pass. Of that I am sure. But if the gods be good, not for a long time yet.
In other news … the babies are doing GREAT and the circle continues.
Bruce sent me these photos of the babies out on the farm and finally all settled into the big girl coop with the rest of their new family!
Meanwhile, here is a picture from the flock in the yard today … if you are having trouble telling which ones are Beulah and Molly (the two babies we kept), it is because they are growing so fast and almost have full voting rights with the flock! Will be two months at least before they start laying and by then the dark of winter will be upon us and the hens won’t be laying much. That will give them an extra season of on and off laying so their bodies can ease into it.
The seasons of the year move on. The seasons of life move on. The circle moves forward.
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