Saddest of Days at Glenn Cottage Eggery

[Rebbetzin]

I am so sad today!

Yesterday I put my four hens out early in the morning to play in the chicken tractor. As always I moved the tractor around to give them some grass weeds to eat. Our recent rain has made lots of nice weeds in the yard.

Anyhow, I lost track of time while doing other things, and they were in the sun too long. Two of my Buff Orpingtons couldn't take the heat. My Barred Rocks were fine. But, Ophelia was already dead when I went out to check them. And poor Olivia died in my arms as I was attempting to cool her off with water from the hose.

I feel so HORRIBLE today. I keep crying. It was completley preventable! I am so sorry I didn't put them back in the coop when it started to get warm. I am just heart broken!

For those in warm climates, please learn from my stupidity...

Some photos of my beloved Ophelia and Olivia for a Memorial.

Olivia and Ophelia as a chicks.

First Day Home
Three days old

As young Pullets

As Hens

Oliva

Ophelia being camera shy.

And last one that makes me really sad.
Me holding Olivia. earlier this year.

Now I have my two Barred Rocks, Rosalind and Roxanne, and Roxanne is egg bound.. or something... her tush is all swollen. I have tried to help her by warm water soaks, massage of her swollen tush, nothing helps, I feel no egg up there, she is eating and drinking and pecking just like normal.

This is not a good day!

 

[Henrietta23]

I'm so sorry!

 

[miss_thenorth]

That's so sad. I am sorry for your loss.

 

[pioneergirl]

Big hugs for you....so sorry!

 

[2dream]

So sorry.

 

[Shiloh Acres]

So sorry to hear of that.

 

[Farmfresh]

Sometimes in the heat we have had recently hens - especially large bodied ones just die. I lost one of mine last year and she had been given all of the possible supports to deal with the heat.

I am so sad for your loss.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

oh gosh...sorry.

but really, honey, these things happen. dont be too hard on yourself. a hard lesson learned but really - everyone is struggling with the heat. even experienced folks with the best set ups are having losses.

go have a good cry...and then keep on keepin' on.

 

[TanksHill]

I am so sorry about your hens. A couple years ago I lost 10 in one day to the heat. They were hanging out in the neighbors orchard trying to keep cool. And they still didn't make it. The heat is awful.



gina

 

[me&thegals]

Oh, I'm so sorry. I know how it feels to lose animals and blame yourself. Please don't beat yourself up too badly. It's just a hard lesson learned And a good warning for me. I have meat birds coming in 2 weeks and will be using chicken tractors for the first time. Your post might save me some grief...